Alghisi, Delle fortificationi, [Venice], 1570, later vellum

Galasso Alghisi

Delle fortificationi libri tre. [Venice: Grazioso Percacino], 1570

folio (414 x 267mm.), engraved title-page, with blank leaves *4 and 3B8, woodcut initials, engraved illustrations (some double-page), later reused vellum, occasional light damp-staining, a few small wormholes, small hole on Ll1, binding slightly damaged

FIRST EDITION. "One of the most beautifully printed treatises on military architecture of the entire century" (Horst de la Croix, "The literature on fortification in Renaissance Italy", Technology and Culture 4 (1963), 30-50, p.41).

Alghisi worked for Ercole II and Alfonso II d'Este of Ferrara as both a civil and military architect, constructing churches and theatres as well as fortifications. He took a theoretical approach to fortress design, describing the plans for fortresses with increasing numbers of bastions, reaching the astounding number of 21 (the fortress of Palmanova was unusual in having as many as nine bastions). Bastions had become an increasingly important element of fortifications during the sixteenth century as a result of the need to provide defence against cannon fire which tall medieval towers failed to do (towers provided a large area for the cannon to target). Bastions were lower, thicker and provided a means for the defenders of a fortress to overlook the attackers from a platform large enough to hold cannons.

LITERATURE:

Cockle 778; Edit16 1140

PROVENANCE:

Biaggio Amedeo Villanova, signature on V4v