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. Due Trattati – Benvenuto Cellini – $21,256.00

2. L'Architettura – Leon Battista Alberti – $12,500.00

3. L'Idea della Architettura Universale – Vincenzo Scamozzi – $22,500.00

4. The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry – Walter Pater – $10,260.00

5. Trattato Della Pittura – Leonardo Da Vinci – $18,000.00

6. Trattato dell'arte della Pittura, Scoltura, et Architettura – Gian Paolo Lomazzo – $6,312.00

7. Vite [...] – Giorgio Vasari – $8,850.00• Total: $99,678

Due Trattati [...] (Two Treatises on Goldsmithing and Sculpture)by Benvenuto Cellini1568 — $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 — $12,500.00First 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 — $22,500.00First 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 Poetryby Walter Pater

1893 — $10,260.00Fourth 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 Vinci1651 — $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 Lomazzo1585 — $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 towriting when he went blind. This is hisfirst 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.

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.

Vite de' più Eccellenti Pittori Scultori e Architetti (Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects)

by Giorgio Vasari1794 — $8,850.00

Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Renaissancehttp://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=12071427350&ir&xbf=b3MtdmEtbnl5/08970916401562127103&clickid=U3RVCaS2KWzAXJWyXe0C4RLXUkX2Hv01Uzw20Q0&cm_mmc=aff-_-ir-_-59145-_-105059&afn_sr=impact&ref=imprad http://www.biblio.com/book/larchitettura-alberti-leon-battista/d/740992663http://www.biblio.com/book/lidea-della-architettura-universale-scamozzi-vincenzo/d/820780038 http://www.biblio.com/book/renaissance-studies-art-poetry-pater-walter/d/587684096http://www.biblio.com/book/trattato-della-pittura-treatise-painting-vinci/d/754296997http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=14250043898&ir&xbf=b3MtdmEtbnl5/08970916401562127103&clickid=U3RVCaS2KWzAXJWyXe0C4RLXUkX2u7UBUzw20Q0&cm_mmc=aff-_-ir-_-59145-_-105059&afn_sr=impact&ref=impradhttp://www.biblio.com/book/vite-piu-eccellenti-pittori-scultori-e/d/782663224