Transcript File - Robin Steyer

Institution Book
Catalogue
A Collection of Books on Renaissance Arts
by Robin Steyer
Introduction: The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period of time from the 14th to the 17th century, named from the
French word for “rebirth.” It occurred as this “rebirth” after the Middle Ages (or Dark Ages) and
acted as a transition to the modern period. Beginning as a cultural movement in Italy, the idea of
“the Renaissance” encompasses everything from culture and politics to music and art. In particular,
the arts of the Renaissance are characterized by highly realistic painting and sculpture with focus on
linear perspective, proportion, and other methods to create an image of realism and depth. Fine arts
of this time built upon those of the classical era, with newer and more advanced techniques and
sensibilities.
The Italian Renaissance is of particular interest because of its well-known artists, such as
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. These four men created some of the
most influential and remarkable creations of the period, in fields such as painting, sculpture,
architecture, music, mathematics, engineering, astronomy, and writing. Some examples include da
Vinci’s Mona Lisa and The Last Supper and Michelangelo’s David.
Introduction: The Search
Searching for the books in this collection was difficult. Books of this age are
rare to come by, especially in workable condition. Because most of these works are
written in Italian, some time also had to be spent translating and determining just
how well each book represented the arts of the Italian Renaissance. Eventually, I
decided on a set of books that I think provides a well-rounded overview of the
topic, with the views from the artists during the time period and later scholars
reflecting on those artists.
Introduction: The Collection
Selected for the art history section of a library, this set compiles valuable primary and
secondary source information on a very popular cultural and artistic movement. The
collection highlights some important works on the arts of the Italian Renaissance. It
contains five works published during the Renaissance, one written during the renaissance
and re-printed later, and one remarkable summary of the period written in the 19th century.
They provide insight into various types of art during the time period, including painting,
sculpture, goldsmithing, architecture, and poetry. Because of the location these books were
written in, five are in the original Italian, and one is an Italian translation of the original
Latin. Together, these seven titles form a fantastic representation of fine art and
architecture of the Italian Renaissance, from the techniques to the philosophy.
Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Due Trattati – Benvenuto Cellini – $21,256.00
L'Architettura – Leon Battista Alberti – $12,500.00
L'Idea della Architettura Universale – Vincenzo Scamozzi – $22,500.00
The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry – Walter Pater – $10,260.00
Trattato Della Pittura – Leonardo Da Vinci – $18,000.00
Trattato dell'arte della Pittura, Scoltura, et Architettura – Gian Paolo Lomazzo – $6,312.00
Vite [...] – Giorgio Vasari – $8,850.00
• Total: $99,678
Due Trattati [...] (Two Treatises on Goldsmithing and Sculpture)
by Benvenuto Cellini
1568 — $21,256.00
First edition. Good condition, with some minor browning, a light
water stain, wear on binding’s edges, and slight worming on cover. Vellum.
The final page was misnumbered and has been corrected by a previous
owner from “47” to “61.” Edges sprinkled in red. 4to. Published by Valente
Panizza & Marco Peri in Florence. Sold by Antiquariat Inlibris Gilhofer.
Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571) was an Italian artist and craftsman. This
book contains two of his treatises, on goldsmithing and sculpture. These
include technical instructions that are based on the methods used by Cellini
and other Renaissance artists, giving insight into the artistic process of the
time. This book features a woodcut of Medici arms on the title page and
large woodcut initials throughout. Inside are bookplates of Louis
Thompson Rowe and John Addington Symonds. The latter is a Renaissance
scholar who published an English translation of Cellini’s autobiography.
L'Architettura (The Architecture)
by Leon Battista Alberti (translation by Cosimo Bartoli)
1565 — $12,500.00
First edition of this translation in this size. Good condition for its
age. Bound in gilt brown leather. 4to. Sold by Ursus Rare Books.
Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472) was an Italian polymath, best
known for his work in architecture. His De Ra Aedificatoria (On the Art of
Building) was published as a whole in 1485, after his death. Originally in
Latin, it was a treatise on many aspects of architecture such as planning,
engineering, ornamentation, restoration, and the philosophy of
architecture. It was the first printed book on the subject and was used as
a reference by other architects. Cosimo Bartoli (1503-1572), a later
polymath, published this edition in standard Italian and a smaller size to
make the book more accessible to architects and other readers. This
book features woodcut illustrations throughout, including a border on
the title page, a portrait of the author, and various initials. There are also
two fold-out, double-page woodcuts.
L'Idea della Architettura Universale (The Idea of a Universal Architecture)
by Vincenzo Scamozzi
1615 — $22,500.00
First edition. Very good, clean condition, remarkable for a
book of its age. Bound in Italian calf. Spine with raised bands, tan
morocco, and gilt lettering, decorated with gilt floral patterns. Folio.
Published by Giorgio Valentino in Venice. Sold by Ursus Rare
Books. Cloth case included.
Vincenzo Scamozzi (1548-1616)
was an Italian architect and wrote this
treatise in several parts, which cover topics
including general architecture principles,
urban planning, and building materials and techniques. These
parts are organized into six books, numbered 1-3 and 6-8.
Scamozzi intended to write ten books total, but did not finish the
four other books before his death. This book’s publication was
paid for by the author and he was sure to have it printed lavishly.
It features numerous beautiful and technical illustrations,
including 39 full-page engravings, 39 full-page woodcuts, 8
double-spread illustrations, two engraved title pages, 18 woodcut
head-pieces, and historiated initials. Most of these are signed by
Scamozzi.
The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry
by Walter Pater
1893 — $10,260.00
Fourth edition. Very good condition, with boards somewhat
splayed, slight soiling on cover, and light foxing on opening pages.
White pigskin binding has blind stamped
decoration with gilding, stamped inside
with “HR” for Hacon and Ricketts. Cloth
Box Included. 8vo. Published by Macmillan
and Co. Sold by Phillip J. Pirages Fine
Books and Medieval Manuscripts.
Walter Pater (1839-1894) wrote about art and aesthetics
in a manner that mimicked the beauty of the fine arts on
which his prose is based. This book was originally published
in 1837 and has remained popular enough that new editions
continue to be released. It consists of several essays on Renaissance art and artists such as
Leonardo Da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, and Michelangelo. The segment in the Da Vinci
essay on the Mona Lisa is probably “the most famous piece of writing about any picture.”
This particular copy is of special interest die to its age, condition, and custom binding.
Trattato Della Pittura (Treatise of Painting)
by Leonardo da Vinci
1651 — $18,000.00
First edition. Hardcover. Vellum. Very good condition for its age, with
top joint cracked and boards slightly bowed. Includes bookplate of Lady
Frances Scott. Folio. Custom box included. Published by Jacques Langlois in
Paris. Sold by The Manhattan Rare Book Company.
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519),
the original “renaissance man,” is likely
the most well-known and treasured
renaissance artist. This book is a
collection of passages from Da Vinci’s
papers on painting, (particularly the
scientific laws of painting) which were
compiled shortly after his death.
Featuring over 70 engraved portraits,
illustrations, and diagrams, and additional
engraved initials, this book is a beautiful
representation of his aesthetic theory.
Trattato dell'arte della Pittura, Scoltura, et Architettura
(Treatise on the Art of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture)
by Gian Paolo Lomazzo
1585 — $6,312.00
First edition, second issue. Very good, clean condition, with minor worming in
front and handwriting on title page. bound in limp vellum. 4to. Published by Paolo
Gottardo Pontio in Milan. Sold by Sokol Books.
Gian Paolo Lomazzo (1538-1592)
was an Italian painter, but turned to
writing when he went blind. This is his
first treatise and deals with theory,
technique, and subject matter, looking at painting and other media as
both art and academic subjects. This treatise is partially an argument
for the seriousness and validity of painting in a way that can be
systematized and taught in a way that rivaled literature. The book
features a woodcut portrait of Lomazzo and a woodcut printer’s mark
on the title page. This copy is ex-library and contains a 19th century
library label.
Vite de' più Eccellenti Pittori Scultori e Architetti
(Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects)
by Giorgio Vasari
1794 — $8,850.00
Eleven Volumes. Fine condition. Gilt quarter calf
binding with dark red morocco labels. 8vo. Published
by Pazzini Carli in Siena. Sold by Hordern House Rare
Books.
Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) was a Renaissance
biographer, known as the first (and most influential)
art historian, in addition to being an artist and architect.
He is not known for his visual works, but instead for
his writings, in which he recorded details on the lives
of great artists. Because he is also an experienced artist, he was able to add
technical criticism to his collections of facts and anecdotes. This 11-volume set
features 159 engraved plates for the portraits of each of the artists recognized in
the series, including the “big four” artists, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, and
Leonardo da Vinci. This set is an absolutely beautiful record of what is likely the
most influential text on the history of Renaissance art.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Renaissance
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http://www.biblio.com/book/larchitettura-alberti-leon-battista/d/740992663
http://www.biblio.com/book/lidea-della-architettura-universale-scamozzi-vincenzo/d/820780038
http://www.biblio.com/book/renaissance-studies-art-poetry-pater-walter/d/587684096
http://www.biblio.com/book/trattato-della-pittura-treatise-painting-vinci/d/754296997
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http://www.biblio.com/book/vite-piu-eccellenti-pittori-scultori-e/d/782663224