THURAH, DEN DANSKE VITRUVIUS, 1746-49, 2 VOLUMES

FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, folio (473 x 305mm.), title and text in Danish, French and German, engraved architectural additional title, 281 engraved plans, views, maps and plates (some double-page or folding), contemporary sheep, spines gilt, red edges, slight spotting at places, occasional minor marginal repairs or restoration (also to edges of bindings), lightly rubbed

K.A. Jacobsen, bookplate; his son Ole Lars Jacobsen, book label; thence by family descent 

BAL RIBA 3317; Bibl. Danica II 602; Berlin Cat. 2259

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Laurids de Thurah (1706-1759) was the most important architect in Denmark during the reign of Christian VI (1730-1746). He had a military education before studying architecture in Germany and Italy. In Italy, he was attracted to the baroque style, to which he remained faithful throughout his career. He was the mind behind some of the greatest buildings in Denmark. His most original work was the spiral tower which he added to the Vor frelserkirke (Our Saviour) at Christianshavn in 1750, which had been built by Lambert von Haven in 1682-1694. Other famous buildings by Thurah include the Royal Palace in Roskilde, Eremitageslottet, Børglum Kloster, Gammel Holtegård and the spire to Vor Frue Kirke, among others. Around 1750 Thurah retired to Borgumkloster, a medieval abbey which he rebuilt with larger windows and gables. The years between 1730 and 1754 were a period of rich growth in Danish architecture, "designating the culmination of artistic liberation and ability, thanks to a happy combination of royal builders with broad views and daring thought and highly gifted architects capapble of finding expressions for the new ideas that were inspired by international currents of the time" (T. Faber, A History of Danish Architecture, Copenhagen, 1978).

Thurah's Den Danske Vitruvius was the only large scale influential work on architecture published in Denmark. Published at the expense of Christian VI, and printed by the best printer in Denmark at the time, Ernst Henrich Berling, the volumes illustrate buildings in Copenhagen and the royal palaces outside the city, providing a survey to Thurah's architectural career. Berling also published Danske Post Tidender, which would later become Berlingske Tidende.