Lorenzo Sirigatti: LA PRATICA DI PROSPETTIVA, Florence, 1596

Description

Stampato in Venetia adi 28. Ottobrio 1596. Per Girolamo Franceschi sanese, libraio in Firenze.

2 parts in one volume in folio  (41 x 27 cm). (8) pages, 43, (1), 44-65 leaves. Title engraved within architectural border incorporating Medici arms at head and Sirigatti’s at foot. The engraved plates numbered 1-65 are interrupted by a colophon leaf at end of Book 1 with Francheschi’s large device (“Pace”). Most plates in Book 1 have explanatory letterpress on facing verso, while those in Book 2 do not. Plate 44 is an engraved title for Book 2, placed within a smaller version of the main titlepage’s architectural border. Plates in Book 2 also lettered A-Y at the foot. Headpieces. Initials, some historiated.

 

Comments:

First edition dedicated to Ferdinand I de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Rare complete copy of both parts and colophon with the big printer device at the end of the first part.

This magnificent work by Lorenzo Sirigatti (1561-1614) illustrates all aspects of the art of perspective. The first part represents the perspective of the construction of stairs, vaults, arches, etc. The second part concerns architectural constructions, exteriors of buildings, and polyhedra inspired by the works of Jamnitzer (goldsmith, artist, and printmaker in etching, who worked in Nuremberg).

Reference : Adams S-1224; Graesse VI,417; Fowler 336. “Questa è la più elegante delle edizioni di libri prospettici per i tipi, pei caratteri, per la carta” (Cicognara 860).