Sebastiano Serlio - Quinto Libro d' Architettura - 1559

Sebastiano Serlio – Fifth Book of Architecture – Venice, 1559

An important and richly illustrated 16th-century Venetian edition of Sebastiano Serlio's celebrated architectural treatise, devoted to the design and construction of sacred buildings.

Author: Sebastiano Serlio (1475–c. 1554)

Title: Quinto Libro d'Architettura di Sebastiano Serlio Bolognese, nel quale si tratta di diverse forme di tempii sacri secondo il costume christiano, et al modo antiguo.

Publication: Venice, Giovanni Battista and Marchio Sessa, 1559.

Language: Italian.

Format: Large folio, approximately 36 × 26 cm.

Description

A remarkable Venetian Renaissance architectural publication by Sebastiano Serlio, one of the most influential architectural theorists of the sixteenth century.

The fifth book of Serlio's architectural treatise is dedicated to sacred architecture, presenting designs for churches and temples inspired by classical antiquity and adapted to Christian worship.

The work contains numerous finely executed architectural woodcuts illustrating ground plans, elevations, domes, façades and geometrical arrangements of religious buildings.

Particularly striking are the large architectural illustrations, which demonstrate the sophisticated understanding of proportion, symmetry and classical architectural principles characteristic of the Italian Renaissance.

The elaborate architectural title-page, decorated with classical figures, floral ornaments and architectural motifs, is an especially attractive feature.

The volume also retains the illustrated Venetian printer's device of the Sessa brothers, dated MDLIX (1559).

Historical importance

Sebastiano Serlio played a fundamental role in spreading the architectural principles of the Italian Renaissance throughout Europe.

His illustrated treatises helped establish a common architectural vocabulary and influenced generations of architects in Italy, France, the Low Countries and beyond.

The fifth book is particularly interesting for its combination of classical architectural theory with practical designs for Christian religious buildings.

Illustrations

Illustrated throughout with original sixteenth-century woodcuts, including architectural plans, elevations, sections, domed buildings and decorative woodcut initials.

The architectural illustrations are integral to the printed work and constitute one of its principal attractions.

Binding and condition

Preserved in a later decorative marbled-paper binding with a red spine label and gilt lettering.

The title-page and illustrated colophon are present.

The pages show age-related toning, occasional spotting, marginal staining and some signs of historical handling, consistent with a book printed in 1559.

The woodcut illustrations remain clearly visible and attractive.

A desirable Renaissance architectural work

An appealing example of sixteenth-century Venetian architectural printing, combining an influential author, an important subject, fine woodcut illustrations and a decorative title-page.

Of particular interest to collectors of Renaissance architecture, early illustrated books, Italian printing and the history of architectural design.
In total 36 pages + title page AAA BBB CCC DDD.