Books and Manuscripts

Piranesi, Giovanni B.
Trofei di Ottaviano Augusto innalzati per la vittoria ad Actium e conquista dell'Egitto con varj altri ornamenti...delle fabbriche antiche di Roma...
Roma: Giovanni Generoso Salomoni, 1753. First edition. Folio, 20 13/16 x 13 11/16 mm). Double-page title-page printed in red and in black. Illustrated with an engraved vignette on title-page and 10 engraved plates (two folding and three double-page), each with engraved captions below image. Modern three-quarter brown calf over marbled paper-covered boards, red morocco spine label, stamped in blind and in gilt; edges stained green; pale foxing to title-page; light scattered foxing to plates. Focillon J134-143; Hind 34 III

Scarce first edition of Piranesi's first major archaeological work and his first treatment of Roman decorative art. "Its principal subject was the two marbled reliefs of military trophies which originally embellished the mostra or head fountain of the Acqua Giulia on the Esquiline and which had been transferred to the Capitol in 1590. Although these were known popularly as the 'Trophies of Marius', Piranesi in his research concluded that they had been erected by Augustus Caesar to commemorate his naval victory at Actium in 31 B.C. In addition to general views of these reliefs, he also included several plates of architectural fragments demonstrating the outstanding decorative invention of the Romans..." (Wilton-Ely, Piranesi, p. 48). Piranesi intended this volume to be "useful to Painters, Sculptors, and Architects," and as a means of "broadening the creative attitudes of his contemporaries." (Wilton-Ely, Piranesi as Architect and Designer, pp. 24-25).