Les plus beaux édifices de la Ville de Gênes et de ses environs.

GAUTHIER, Martin Pierre

Published by Paris, Chez l Auteur, 1818

About this Item

WITH STUNNING FOLDING VIEWS OF GENOA. GAUTHIER, Martin Pierre. Les plus beaux édifices de la Ville de Gênes et de ses environs. Paris, Chez l Auteur, 1818. FIRST EDITION. Large folio (54x35cm). [4], 6, [2], 15, [1], with half-title, 6 large views of Genoa, 2 of which are double-paged and other 2 are double-page and folded several times, and 101 numbered plates (of 102, lacking plate no. 69; no. 47 is folding), all finely engraved in copper. Bound in contemporary half leather and patterned paper. Untrimmed with deckled edges. Some light spotting to the initial leaves, sporadic marginal light spotting throughout. An excellent, wide-margined copy. This is the first edition of the first part of this unique and rare work by the French architect Martin-Pierre Gauthier (1790-1855). Dedicated to the king of France, the book shows the most beautiful Genoese palazzos, with sections and plans, and with 6 splendid views of the city engraved by Bence and Thierry. A second part including 72 plates appeared many years later in 1832. Gauthier was awarded the grand prix of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1810. These works on the buildings of Genoa appear to be his only published book. "Les édifices de cette ville y sont décrits et dessinées avec beaucoup d'art et de fidélité" (Dictionnaire de Biographie française). Brunet, II, 1506; Biblioteca Italiana, tomo LXVII, Milano, 1832, p. 122: L opera del Gauthier ci si presenta, diremmo quasi, con quella medesima magnificenza, colla quale ad un viaggiatore presentansi i sontuosi edificj di Genova, e certo è ancora ch essa venne dagli architetti generalmente applaudita . Seller Inventory # ABE-1651401166298

Bibliographic Details

Title: Les plus beaux édifices de la Ville de Gênes...

Publisher: Paris, Chez l Auteur

Publication Date: 1818

Binding: Rilegato

Condition: molto buono