Del Palazzo Degli Antichi Cesari In Roma [Italian caption title]
De Regiis Antiquorum Caesarum Aedibus In Urbe Roma [Latin caption title]
Imprint
In Verona:: MDCCXXXVIII., Per Pierantonio Berno Stampatore, e Librajo nella Via de' Leoni. Con Licenza de' Superiori., [1738]
Physical Description
[xii], 304 p., [1], 20 pl.; 455 mm. (Folio).
General Note
The unnumbered plate follows page 20. The twenty-one plates are printed on twenty-eight sheets, as follows: 6 on single sheets (the unnumbered plate and plates 7, 14, 18-20]; 8 on double-page single sheets (pl. 1-6, 11, 16]; 6 folding plates on 2 sheets each [pl. 8-10, 12, 13, 15]; 1 folding plate on 4 sheets [pl.17].
Contents
[T.p., dedic.] - Ad Lectorem - [Text in Italian and Latin] - Indice De' Capitoli / Index Capitum - Errata Correcta - [Plates].
Responsibility Note
Some plates and vignettes are signed - by draughtsmen B. Gabbugiani, F. Nicoletti, R. Pozzi and A. Balestra, or engravers B. Gabbugiani, G. Rossi, D. Valesi, G. Scolari, V. Franceschini, R. Pozzi, M. A. Pitteri and G. Filosi.
The book is dedicated by the author's nephew, Giuseppe Bianchini, to King Louis XV of France, who subsidised its production.
References
National Gallery (Washington), Mark J. Millard Architectural, IV (2000), no. 20, p.61-66; Royal Institute of British Architects, British Architectural Library ... Early printed books, 1 (1994), no. 269.
On the book's context see M.R. Fehl, 'Archaeologists at work in 1726', in Ultra Terminum Vagari, ed. B. Magnusson (1997); H.A. Millon, 'Reconstructions of the Palatine in the eighteenth century', in Eius virtutis studiosi (1993), p. 479-93; W. Oechslin, 'L'Intérêt archéologique et l'expérience architecturale avant et après Piranèse', in Piranèse et les français (1978), p. 395-418.
Summary Note
This is Bianchini's account of his excavations in 1720-1729 at a site of great interest to antiquarians in the eighteenth century - that of the palace of the Roman emperors. This was built by the architect Rabirius on the Palatine hill - commissioned by the Emperor Domitian, but used by all subsequent emperors, and lending the name 'palace' to royal residences in most European languages.
The text is printed in Italian and Latin in parallel.
The plates include plans and reconstructions of buildings and engravings of statues and fragments found on site.
Bianchini's imaginary elevations (pl. XII, XIII) and folding panorama (pl. XVII) show the influence of Bernini, Cortona, Ligorio and Juvarra, and in turn influenced architectural designers in the Roman academies.
Provenance
Acquired by 1802. Recorded in Catalogue Of The Library In The Royal Academy, London (1802).
Copy Note
Between plates XIII and XIV is an unsigned interpolated plate, entitled 'Pianta del palazzo de' Cesari', numbered 'Pag.79'.
Binding Note
Contemporary calf; coat of arms gilt-stamped on upper and lower covers; gilt-tooled spine, with red morocco spine-labels, lettered 'Bianchini Palazzo De' Cesari Verona 1738'.