De Architectura Libri Decem Cum Notis, Castigationibus & Observationibus Guilielmi Philandri integris; Danielis Barbari excerptis & Claudii Salmasii passim insertis

Amsterdam: Elzevir, 1649. Folio. (11 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches). pp. [viii], 30, [2], 272, [xxviii], 164, 69, [iii]. Pictorial engraved title, 4 full-page woodcut plates and over 70 woodcuts. Bound in full calf, spine with raised bands forming seven compartments, lettered gilt in the second compartment, elaborately tooled gilt in other compartments

A significant 17th-century edition of Vitruvius’ De Architectura, edited and annotated by Joannes de Laet, preserving and expanding upon the only surviving architectural treatise from antiquity.

The present work is a significant edition of De Architectura, the only surviving architectural treatise (truncated) from antiquity, written by the Roman engineer and architect Vitruvius in the 1st century BCE. This text remains one of the most influential works on architecture, engineering, and aesthetics, offering a comprehensive guide to ancient building practices, materials, and design principles. Vitruvius famously articulated the triad of firmitas (strength), utilitas (functionality), and venustas (beauty), which became the foundation of architectural theory for centuries. His work not only provided practical guidance for Roman builders but also laid the intellectual groundwork for later architectural movements, particularly during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This edition, edited by the Dutch humanist and geographer Joannes de Laet, represents a critical scholarly engagement with Vitruvius' text in the 17th century. De Laet enriched the treatise with extensive annotations and commentaries, contextualizing its insights for a contemporary audience and reflecting the continued relevance of classical architecture in early modern Europe. His editorial contributions align with a broader intellectual movement that sought to reconcile ancient wisdom with emerging scientific and artistic advancements. Accompanying Vitruvius's text is a Latin translation of Elements of Architecture (1624) by the English scholar and diplomat Henry Wotton. A free adaptation of De Architectura, Wotton's work distills Vitruvian ideals into three fundamental principles of good architecture: buildings should be solid, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. His treatise played a crucial role in transmitting Vitruvian thought to early modern architects. This edition is further supplemented by works integrating architectural theories from later periods. Included are Agricola's treatise on weights and measurements, Goldmann's essay on the voluta ionica, and Alberti's influential writings on painting and sculpture. Additional commentaries, a technical dictionary, an index, and a treatise on the scamilli impares (pedestals used in column construction) offer further insights into Vitruvius's legacy and its continued relevance. Illustrated with detailed engravings, diagrams, and textual analysis, this edition provides both a faithful transmission of Vitruvius's ideas and an interpretive framework that bridges antiquity with early modern architectural thought. The influence of De Architectura can be traced in the works of later architects such as Andrea Palladio, Inigo Jones, and Christopher Wren, who drew upon Vitruvian principles to shape their own theories and designs.

Fowler 417; Berlin Katalog 1817; Cicognara 726; STCN 852717466; Willems 1097; Brunet V, 1328. (Inventory #: 42125)