Nell' Haia,: Appresso Isaco Vaillant,, M. DCC. XXV.
Physical Description
[4], 171, [5] p., 24 pl. (1 dble.); 509 mm. (Folio).
Contents
[T.-p.] - Proemio Generale; Indice Dei Libri; [correction] - [Text, with plates] - Indice Dei Libri E Capitoli Di Questa Opera.
Responsibility Note
All plates but one (no. 17) are signed as drawn by C. Fontana; nine are also signed as engraved by Dom. Franceschini. The title-page vignette is signed as designed by Lud. Cheron.
References
RIBA, Early printed books, 2 (1995), no. 1094, p.613-4.
H. Hager, 'Carlo Fontana's project for a church in honour of the Ecclesia triumphans in the Colosseum, Rome', in Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, XXXVI (1973), p.319-337.
Summary Note
Although published posthumously in 1725, this was listed among Fontana's theoretic works in 1696.
The text is presented in the following sections: 'Intrduzione: Dei Teatri ed Anfiteatri; 1. Del Stato presente dell'Anfiteatro Flavio; 2. Del Stato antico ...; 3. Erudizioni Profane ... cioè, della sua Erezione, e dell'Uso delle sue diverse Parti ...; 4. Erudizione Sacre ...; 5. Del restituir l'Onore all'Anfiteatro Flavio; cioè, Descrizzione dei Edificii Sacri da fare nella sua residual Parte.' It includes Fontana's suggestion that the Colosseum should be conserved and should have a church erected in the arena, commemorating the Christian martyrs.
Fontana's original manuscript and drawings survive at the Sir John Soane Museum, London.
Provenance
Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
19th-century half calf, black cloth-covered boards; rebacked and recornered in 20th century, retaining earlier black morocco spine-label lettered 'Anfiteatro Flavio'.
Subject
Architecture, Roman - Amphitheatres (built works) - Public buildings - Italy - Rome - History - 1st century
Architecture, Italian - Italy - Rome - History - 17th century
Designs - Italy - Rome - 17th century
Pictorial works - Netherlands - 18th century