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Della Trasportatione Dell'Obelisco Vaticano Et Delle Fabriche Di Nostro Signore Papa Sisto V Fatte Dal Cavallier Domenico Fontana Architetto Di Sua Santita Libro Primo Con Licentia De Superiori.

Domenico Fontana

RA Collection: Book

Record number

03/2575

Author

Variant Title

Del modo tenuto nel trasportare d'obelisco Vaticano [added title-pl. title].

Imprint

In Roma:: Appresso Domenico Basa,, M.D.XC.

Physical Description

[2], 2-108, [4] leaves (incl. add. engr. t.-pl. (port.) and 38 pl. (2 fold.)); 405 mm. (Folio).

General Note

The first two leaves (the etched title-pl. and added etched and engraved title-pl.) and the last four leaves (index, errata, binder's register & colophon) are unnumbered; the remaining leaves, incorporating text and plates, are numbered in one continuous sequence; there are bis leaves 65, 66, 75 and 76. There are three double plates (leaves 65 & 65 bis together; leaf 75 bis; leaves 97 & 98 together). Some copies have additional plates dated 1591 showing the catafalque or tomb of Sixtus V. Although the book is described as 'Libro Primo' on its title-plate, no second volume was printed until the first was republished in 1604 (Napoli: Costantino Vitale).

Contents

[T.pl., add. t.pl. (incl. port.), dedic.] - [Text and pl.] -Tavola Delle Cose Più Notabili ... - Errori Più Notabili occorsi nello stampare - Registro; [colophon].

Responsibility Note

The plates are not signed by a draughtsman, but are believed to be based on drawings of Fontana (or Guerra). The t.pl., add. t.pl. and the pl. on folio 75 bis are signed as engraved by Natale Bonifazio.

The work is dedicated by the author to Pope Sixtus V.

References

National Gallery (Washington), Mark J. Millard Architectural, 4 (2000), no.40, p.149-54; Harvard University, Harvard College Library Department Of Printing And Graphic Arts Catalogue Of Books And Manuscripts Part II: Italian 16th Century Books, comp. R. Mortimer (1964), vol. I, no.193, p.275-82; Johns Hopkins University, The Fowler Architectural Collection (1961), no. 124, p.107-8; P. Riccardi, Biblioteca matematica (1952), I, 466-7. Spanish and parallel English translations by J. Melgar and M. Clark, ed. J. Calavera, were published in Madrid in 1974.

The context of Fontana's work is described in G. Cipriani, Gli obelischi egizi: politica e cultura nella Roma barocca (1993); M.L. Madonna, ed., Roma di Sisto V (1993); H. Gamrath, Roma sancta renovata (1987); R. Schiffmann, Roma felix: Aspekte der stadtbaulichen Gestaltung unter Papst Sixtus V (1985); C.D. Onofrio, Gli obelischi di Roma ( 1967, rev.3/1992).

Summary Note

In this celebrated book Domenico Fontana gives his account not only of his moving of the Egyptian obelisk in 1586 from the Vatican Circus (where it had been set up by Caligula) to Piazza San Pietro, but also of his other urban projects for Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590).

The granite obelisk, weighing 361 tons, took six months to move from the side to the front of St Peter's. Prints showing the move had already been published in 1586 and 1587, and written accounts in 1588 (by Bordini) and 1589 (by Mercati); Fontana's is a more lavish and 'official' version of events.

The printing was done at the new Stamperia Vaticana, under the direction of Domenico Bassa, and has been admired not only for its etched plates but also for Bassa's management of his Roman and Italic type-fonts.

Reproductions

A facsimile, with commentary by A. Carugo, was published in 1979 (Milano: Polifilo).

Provenance

Obtained by Sir William Chambers during his visit to Paris in 1774. It belongs to a group of books that J. D. Le Roy gave him in order to settle a debt. Chambers recouped the money owing to him by selling this (and at least seven other titles from the same source) to the Royal Academy for a total of £23 5s. The value he put on this particular book was £1 13s. (see RA Cash-book, 1769-1795, entry dated 21 May 1774).

Copy Note

This copy has bound in at the end a double-page sheet of architectural drawings, unsigned.

Binding Note

19th-century half calf; black morocco spine-label and 'R.A.' stamped on spine.

Subject

Obelisks, Egyptian - Antiquities, Egyptian - Monuments - Engineering, Italian - Architecture, Italian - Cities - Urban design - Italy - Rome - Vatican City - Piazza San Pietro (Vatican City) - History - 16th century
Pictorial works - Typography - Italy - 16th century

Contributors

Domenico Bassa, fl. 1579-1596, printer
Sixtus V Pope, 1520-1590, dedicatee
Natale Bonifacio, 1538-1592, engraver
Julien-David Le Roy, previous owner
Sir William Chambers RA, previous owner