ANDREA PALLADIO (1508-1580) LES QUATRE LIVRES DE L’ARCHITECTURE. [THE FOUR BOOKS OF ARCHITECTURE] Paris, Edme Martin, 1650. ORIGINAL FRENCH EDITION.

Translation by Roland Fréart de Chambray. Four parts in one folio volume of 4, 329 and 8 pp. Full brown sheepskin binding. 38 x 26.5 x 2.7 cm Andrea Palladio – Italian Renaissance architect, famous for his villas, palaces and churches in Veneto and Venice. His style, blending Greek, Roman and Renaissance art, is known as Palladianism. Considered one of the greatest architects in the history of Western art, his works continue to influence modern architecture. First published in Venice in 1570, ‘I quattro libri dell’architettura’ draws inspiration from classical antiquity to guide the construction of buildings. It is richly illustrated with plans, sections, elevations and details of architectural elements. Commissioned by François Sublet de Noyers, Superintendent of Buildings and cousin of Chambray, Roland Fréart de Chambray’s complete translation was finished around 1641, but its publication was delayed by Sublet’s fall from grace (1643) and death (1645). Three additional engravings, not present in the Italian edition, were added and annotated. A glossary was also added at the end of the volume to aid comprehension.