Eugène Viollet-le-Duc - Histoire d'une Forteresse - 1881

Fascinating illustrated edition (beautiful engravings in text and on plates, including 8 in color, notably the lovely frontispiece) of this narrative that is both educational and illustrated, tracing the evolution of defensive systems from the Middle Ages through the fictitious but realistic history of a fortress, allowing a clear and progressive exposition of the principles of military architecture -

The author describes the birth of a simple fortified point, then its development into a castle, detailing the successive transformations imposed by advances in siege techniques and weapons -

Viollet-le-Duc also analyzes the innovations introduced to strengthen the resistance of fortifications, such as improvements to active and passive defense systems, as well as the rationalization of plans -

The work emphasizes the constant relationship between attack and defense, showing how evolutions in military art lead to architectural modifications. It also addresses daily life inside the fortress, mentioning social organization, living conditions and inhabitants' activities -

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc - History of a Fortress - SD (circa 1881) - J. Hetzel & Cie -
III, 368 pages.

Good condition of the binding, work in its full cover adorned with black and gold decoration, top cover decorated with the plan of a fortress, wear from use, some minor defects on the cover, worn spine, corners, gilded edges, smooth spine decorated and titled, as well as the first plate -

Good interior condition, some isolated foxing, beautiful title-page vignette, work enriched with fine engravings in and on text including 8 in color notably the lovely frontispiece, blue endpapers in good condition, pleasing copy –

Delivery service guaranteed within a few days -