Rome, P. Salviucci 1821.

8vo (222 x 142 mm.). xl, [2], xli-lii, 171, [1]p.

19th-century sheep-backed marbled paper boards (scuffed, corners bumped), gilt spine and title, blue edges, two blue silk markers.

            First Edition of this Renaissance artist’s manual: THE EARLIEST ARTISTIC TREATISE TO ADDRESS BODILY PROPORTIONS. The first text of its kind in Italian, The Treatise on Painting covers all aspects of drawing and oil, tempera and fresco painting. It describes how to make and prepare tracing paper, pencils, brushes, charcoal and quills; provides recipes for tints, paints, mordants, glue and sizes; discusses painting on parchment, paper, walls, wood and gilded surfaces; and suggests methods for accurately rendering miniatures, mountains, foliage, hair, beards, wounds, drapery and textiles.
            THIS COPY IS ANNOTATED BY THE PAINTER, CONSERVATOR AND AUTHOR GIOVANNI SECCO SUARDO (1798-1873). He penned corrections, practical observations and criticisms — some 2000 words in all. Another reader also annotated the book with 600 more words. In good condition, many lower edges uncut (some natural paper flaws); laid in is an engraved portrait of Cennini’s teacher, Agnolo Gaddi (1350-96; signed G.C. II Eimmart).
¶Gealt, “Cennini, Cennino” in Dictionary of the Middle Ages 234; Schlosser-Magnino, La Letteratura artistica 91-8; Sarton, Introduction to the History of Science III: 167-8 & 1131; Universal Catalogue of Books on Art I: 258.

Price: $3,600.00

Status: On Hold