1585 Trattato dell'Arte della Pittura, Scoltura... de Giovanni Paolo Lomazzo

An extensively annotated copy of the 1585 Trattato delle'Arte della Pittura, Scoltura et Architettura, di Giovanni Paolo Lomazzo. There is certainly charm and interest in this copy's past; one can't help but wonder who so extensively studied the work while admiring the bottom-edge title reminding us that books weren't always kept with their spines towards the room.

The 1685 edition is recorded as being the second printing of the first edition of 1684.

About Lomazzo's Work -

Gian Paolo Lomazzo (1538 – 1592) was an Italian artist and writer on art. Praised as a painter, Lomazzo wrote about artistic practice and art theory after blindness compelled him to pursue a different professional path by 1571. Lomazzo's written works were especially influential to second generation Mannerism in Italian art and architecture.

Lomazzo became blind in 1571 and turned to writing, producing two complex treatises that are milestones in the development of art criticism. His first work, Trattato dell'arte della pittura, scoltura et architettura (1584), is divided into seven books: Proportion, Motion, Color, Light, Perspective, Practice, History, and iconography related to classical and Christian subjects. Lomazzo offered a systematic codification of aesthetics was central to the development of Italian mannerist theories of art.



Provenance Notes -

The writer of the notes occasionally autographed them; the name seems to be some form of Franques A. (Gardien?).

I did look at the autographs of Francois A. Verdier... I'm 95% certain this signature is not his. Whoever took the notes wrote in Italian (Verdier was French), and the art signature I found did not look much like the autographs in this book.

A note on the title page states that a Mon. Verdier gave this book to a Charles (?) in July of 1681. This Verdier may have been a Prebendier de St. (?).

Bibliographic Details -

Universal Short Title Catalogue (USTC) number 838475, not rare, found in many of the world's best libraries.

Censimento Nazionale delle Edizioni Italiane del XVI Secolo reference number 24454.

Physical Attributes -

This copy is complete in two volumes, the second book (pages 561 to end) taken from another copy. Both are bound in vellum. Together they measure approximately 21 x 16.5 4.5 cm. The book was printed in eight (octavo). There is a title, in an old-hand, on the bottom-edge of the first volume.

Pages - xxxx, 1-700 (but the printer skipped 694/695, so 698), errata leaf

Collation - cross8, 2cross10, A-Z8, Aa-Vv8, Xx6. Leaves Q3 and Q4 mistakenly signed R3 and R4.

Condition -

See pictures. Work bound into two volumes, second part from another copy. Both vellum bindings heavily worn; one is a palimpsest (reused with writing erased... but still lightly visible). Both copies fit inside a clamshell case, which has a little wear and dust.

As noted on the clamshell, the larger volume is heavily annotated.

Also, there is toning, dog-eared pgs, ink spots, fox spots, page edge tear, corner chips (many repaired; I think someone was stealing corners for paper scrap at some point) etc. as to be expected with a working copy. Many ex libris, shelf marks and notes on pastedown and title page. Pages with some toning throughout, title page more. There are several small worm tracks in the gutter. Moisture mark into top-edge margin throughout, occasionally strays into text. A little separation, at gutter, between introductory leaves and first page of text. Page with portrait heavily thumbed. Old ink spill fore-edge Ff gathering. 2nd book with less use.