Leonardo - della Pittura - 1792
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Leonardo da Vinci, Trattato della pittura reduced to its true lesson from a pen-copy by Stefano della Bella, Florence, Pagani e Grazioli, 1792, 1st edition in this format, Italian, original language, 184 pages, half‑leather binding, plates outside the text, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
THE MOST IMPORTANT TREATISE ON PAINTING BY LEONARDO: FROM THE ILLUSTRATED MANUSCRIPT
This important Florentine edition of 1792 represents one of the most significant moments in the editorial fortune of Leonardo da Vinci between the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. What makes it particularly desirable is not only the content of the famous Treatise on Painting, but above all the fact that the text has been reconstructed and corrected on the basis of a prestigious manuscript copy owned and illustrated by Stefano della Bella, one of the most famous engravers of Seicento Europe.
The work offers the reader the most complete synthesis of Leonardo’s thought on art, gathering reflections on perspective, anatomy, light, shadow, landscape, movement, and the observation of nature. Thanks to the philological work of Francesco Fontani and the rich iconographic apparatus, the volume becomes a monument of Tuscan artistic culture, where the genius of Leonardo, the Florentine figurative tradition, and Enlightenment erudition converge. For historical importance and editorial quality, this edition is considered one of the most authoritative Leonardian publications of the entire eighteenth century.
REASONS FOR COLLECTING
* One of the most important editions of the Treatise on Painting.
* Based on the famous manuscript illustrated by Stefano della Bella.
* Fundamental for the history of Western artistic theory.
* Rich iconographic and copperplate apparatus.
MARKET VALUE
The great Leonardian editions of the eighteenth century occupy a position of absolute prominence in the market of art history. The Florentine edition of 1792 is particularly appreciated because it represents one of the most authoritative reconstructions of the Treatise on Painting before the modern era and because it derives from a manuscript tradition of extraordinary prestige. Complete copies of the plates and in good condition appear with some regularity in the major international auctions dedicated to art books. Prices generally range from €1,200 to €2,500, with results above €3,000 for copies particularly fresh, complete, and preserved in period or prestigious bindings.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Collation: XII, LXXII, 99, [1] pp. Frontispiece with a copperplate vignette. Heads with engraved portraits of Leonardo da Vinci and Stefano della Bella. Numerous copperplate plates in the text. Half-leather binding with brown boards. Stain in the lower corner of the first six leaves. Overall a well-preserved and pleasantly presented copy. In old books, with a multigenerational history, a few imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Leonardo da Vinci.
Trattato della pittura ridotto alla sua vera lezione sopra una copia a penna di mano di Stefano della Bella.
Firenze, Pagani e Grazioli, 1792.
Collation: XII, LXXII, 99, [1] pp.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The Treatise on Painting constitutes the most influential theoretical text attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and one of the foundational works of Western artistic culture. Deduced posthumously from the Leonardo manuscripts, it gathers observations and teachings intended to define painting as a scientific discipline founded on experience and direct observation of nature. Leonardo addresses topics such as linear and aerial perspective, the theory of shadows, human anatomy, landscape, movement, and the expression of passions, offering a conception of art radically new for its time. This edition holds particular value as it recovers a Florentine manuscript tradition of the highest level, allowing closer access to a reading of the text deemed more reliable than many earlier versions.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a painter, scientist, engineer, architect, anatomist, and inventor. Universally regarded as the supreme genius of the Renaissance, he Revolutionized painting through works such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper and contributed decisively to the development of the natural sciences, mechanics, and anatomy. His manuscripts, studied and published in the centuries following his death, remain today one of the most extraordinary testimonies to human ingenuity.
BIOGRAPHY OF STEFANO DELLA BELLA
Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) was one of the most important European engravers of the seventeenth century. Born in Florence, he worked for the Medici court and spent a long time in Paris, where he gained international fame. Renowned for his engravings of landscapes, military scenes, celebrations, views, and allegorical compositions, he played a fundamental role in the iconographic transmission of the Treatise on Painting thanks to the illustrated manuscript that constitutes the basis of this edition.
PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
The first edition of the Treatise on Painting was published in Paris in 1651 by Raffaello Trichet du Fresne. In the following centuries the work became one of the main theoretical texts used in European art academies. The Florentine edition of 1792 occupies a privileged position in the Leonardian tradition because it is based on Stefano della Bella’s illustrated manuscript and accompanied by the historical-biographical notes compiled by Francesco Fontani. It fully reflects the cultural climate of Lorenese Tuscany, characterized by the critical rediscovery of the great Renaissance masters and the valorization of manuscript heritage preserved in city libraries.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Cicognara, Catalogo ragionato dei libri d'arte e d'antichità, no. 237.
Schlosser Magnino, La letteratura artistica, pp. 315-321.
Gamba, Serie dei testi di lingua, no. 1734.
Sander, Le Livre à Figures Italien, VI, pp. 358-360.
Pedretti, Leonardo da Vinci on Painting: A Lost Book (Libro A).
Pedretti, Leonardo. A Study in Chronology and Style.
Richter, The Literary Works of Leonardo da Vinci, vol. I, pp. XIII-XXVIII.
Kemp, Leonardo da Vinci. The Marvellous Works of Nature and Man, pp. 201-225.
Marani, Leonardo da Vinci. Il genio e le passioni.
ICCU / OPAC SBN, census of the Firenze, Pagani and Grazioli, 1792 edition.
Biblioteca Riccardiana, Florence, holdings related to the Stefano della Bella manuscript.
WorldCat, international locations of the edition.
Studies on the editorial fortune of the Treatise on Painting between the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateTHE MOST IMPORTANT TREATISE ON PAINTING BY LEONARDO: FROM THE ILLUSTRATED MANUSCRIPT
This important Florentine edition of 1792 represents one of the most significant moments in the editorial fortune of Leonardo da Vinci between the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. What makes it particularly desirable is not only the content of the famous Treatise on Painting, but above all the fact that the text has been reconstructed and corrected on the basis of a prestigious manuscript copy owned and illustrated by Stefano della Bella, one of the most famous engravers of Seicento Europe.
The work offers the reader the most complete synthesis of Leonardo’s thought on art, gathering reflections on perspective, anatomy, light, shadow, landscape, movement, and the observation of nature. Thanks to the philological work of Francesco Fontani and the rich iconographic apparatus, the volume becomes a monument of Tuscan artistic culture, where the genius of Leonardo, the Florentine figurative tradition, and Enlightenment erudition converge. For historical importance and editorial quality, this edition is considered one of the most authoritative Leonardian publications of the entire eighteenth century.
REASONS FOR COLLECTING
* One of the most important editions of the Treatise on Painting.
* Based on the famous manuscript illustrated by Stefano della Bella.
* Fundamental for the history of Western artistic theory.
* Rich iconographic and copperplate apparatus.
MARKET VALUE
The great Leonardian editions of the eighteenth century occupy a position of absolute prominence in the market of art history. The Florentine edition of 1792 is particularly appreciated because it represents one of the most authoritative reconstructions of the Treatise on Painting before the modern era and because it derives from a manuscript tradition of extraordinary prestige. Complete copies of the plates and in good condition appear with some regularity in the major international auctions dedicated to art books. Prices generally range from €1,200 to €2,500, with results above €3,000 for copies particularly fresh, complete, and preserved in period or prestigious bindings.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Collation: XII, LXXII, 99, [1] pp. Frontispiece with a copperplate vignette. Heads with engraved portraits of Leonardo da Vinci and Stefano della Bella. Numerous copperplate plates in the text. Half-leather binding with brown boards. Stain in the lower corner of the first six leaves. Overall a well-preserved and pleasantly presented copy. In old books, with a multigenerational history, a few imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Leonardo da Vinci.
Trattato della pittura ridotto alla sua vera lezione sopra una copia a penna di mano di Stefano della Bella.
Firenze, Pagani e Grazioli, 1792.
Collation: XII, LXXII, 99, [1] pp.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The Treatise on Painting constitutes the most influential theoretical text attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and one of the foundational works of Western artistic culture. Deduced posthumously from the Leonardo manuscripts, it gathers observations and teachings intended to define painting as a scientific discipline founded on experience and direct observation of nature. Leonardo addresses topics such as linear and aerial perspective, the theory of shadows, human anatomy, landscape, movement, and the expression of passions, offering a conception of art radically new for its time. This edition holds particular value as it recovers a Florentine manuscript tradition of the highest level, allowing closer access to a reading of the text deemed more reliable than many earlier versions.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a painter, scientist, engineer, architect, anatomist, and inventor. Universally regarded as the supreme genius of the Renaissance, he Revolutionized painting through works such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper and contributed decisively to the development of the natural sciences, mechanics, and anatomy. His manuscripts, studied and published in the centuries following his death, remain today one of the most extraordinary testimonies to human ingenuity.
BIOGRAPHY OF STEFANO DELLA BELLA
Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) was one of the most important European engravers of the seventeenth century. Born in Florence, he worked for the Medici court and spent a long time in Paris, where he gained international fame. Renowned for his engravings of landscapes, military scenes, celebrations, views, and allegorical compositions, he played a fundamental role in the iconographic transmission of the Treatise on Painting thanks to the illustrated manuscript that constitutes the basis of this edition.
PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
The first edition of the Treatise on Painting was published in Paris in 1651 by Raffaello Trichet du Fresne. In the following centuries the work became one of the main theoretical texts used in European art academies. The Florentine edition of 1792 occupies a privileged position in the Leonardian tradition because it is based on Stefano della Bella’s illustrated manuscript and accompanied by the historical-biographical notes compiled by Francesco Fontani. It fully reflects the cultural climate of Lorenese Tuscany, characterized by the critical rediscovery of the great Renaissance masters and the valorization of manuscript heritage preserved in city libraries.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Cicognara, Catalogo ragionato dei libri d'arte e d'antichità, no. 237.
Schlosser Magnino, La letteratura artistica, pp. 315-321.
Gamba, Serie dei testi di lingua, no. 1734.
Sander, Le Livre à Figures Italien, VI, pp. 358-360.
Pedretti, Leonardo da Vinci on Painting: A Lost Book (Libro A).
Pedretti, Leonardo. A Study in Chronology and Style.
Richter, The Literary Works of Leonardo da Vinci, vol. I, pp. XIII-XXVIII.
Kemp, Leonardo da Vinci. The Marvellous Works of Nature and Man, pp. 201-225.
Marani, Leonardo da Vinci. Il genio e le passioni.
ICCU / OPAC SBN, census of the Firenze, Pagani and Grazioli, 1792 edition.
Biblioteca Riccardiana, Florence, holdings related to the Stefano della Bella manuscript.
WorldCat, international locations of the edition.
Studies on the editorial fortune of the Treatise on Painting between the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Number of books
1
Subject
Art
Book title
della Pittura
Author/ Illustrator
Leonardo
Condition
Good
Artist
Leonardo
Publication year oldest item
1792
Height
275 mm
Edition
1st Edition Thus
Width
203 mm
Language
Italian
Original language
Yes
Publisher
Firenze, Pagani e Grazioli, 1792
Binding/ Material
Half leather
Extras
Tipped in plates
Number of pages
184
Style
Renaissance
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