Author: Boschini, Marco (1613-1678).
Title: Le Minere Della Pittura. Compendiosa Informazione Di Marco Boschini Non Solo Della Pitture Publiche Di Venezia: Ma Dell'Isole Ancora Circonvicine. Al Serenissimo Prencipe E Regal Coleggio Di Venezia.
Description: In Venezia [Venice]: Appresso Francesco Nicolini, 1664. 1664. THE RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST TRUE GUIDE TO ART IN VENICE - Duodecimo [12mo.], 6 inches high by 3-3/8 inches wide. Full speckled brown calf, titled and decorated in gilt within raised bands on the spine. Tinted speckled edges. The covers are heavily rubbed and scuffed with wear to the corners. The leather has split along the joints and the head and tail of the spine are chipped. Collation: Leaves [a1]-a12, b1-b6, followed by pages 1-572, plus the colophon. Illustrated with 7 full-page engraved plates by the author and artist Marco Boschini, including an allegorical frontispiece depicting an angel holding a paint pallet, sitting on a cloud with a cherub at her feet, above a view of Venice. The text is separated into 6 sections, representing Venice's 6 districts, each illustrated with a full-page plate. Formal decorative headpieces and initials further enhance this work. There is occasional minor soiling with light dampstaining to the top front corner of a few pages. There is evidence of minor worming to the bottom edge of the last few leaves. Very good. First edition. "The text describes the paintings to be seen in each Sestier [District] of Venice: S. Marco, Castello, S. Polo, Dorsoduro, Canareggio, Della Croce. Each of the six sections has it own index or 'Tavola'. Boschini was a strong defender of the colour and free brushwork associated with Venetian painting in contrast with the emphasis on composition and design which Vasari attributes to Florentine and Roman traditions." [Quotation from the Royal Academy of Arts]. In addition to the frontispiece, Boschini's plates illustrate images symbolizing the sestiere (Venice's 6 districts) which it represents: St. Mark with his Lion, St. Peter with his keys, St. Paul preaching, St. Nicholas with his crozier, Saint John Chrysostom reading Jeremiah, and the Cross supported by angels. The Italian painter and engraver of the early Baroque period Marco Boschini (1602-1681) was born in Venice. Boschini painted "The Last Supper" for the sacristy of San Girolamo in Venice and was recognized for his paintings and engravings. He also distinguished himself as a writer on art, publishing several books in his lifetime, including "La Carta del Navegar pittoresco" in 1660, "Le minere della pittura" in 1664 (the work at hand), the second edition of which was subsequently republished in 1674 as "Le ricche minere della pittura veneziana", and a city guide of Vicenza. Despite the recognition he earned as a artist and author, Boschini made his living as an art dealer and agent for clients which included Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici. Very good .

Keywords: ART; GUIDE; ART HISTORY; VENICE; ITALY; MARCO BOSCHINI; LE MINERE DELLA PITTURA; COMPENDOSIA INFORMAZIONE DI MARCO BOSCHINI NON SOLO DELLA PITTUR PUBLICHE DE VENEZIA; FIRST EDITION; ILLUSTRATED; SEVENTEENTH CENTURY; 17TH CENTURY; 1ST EDITION; PLATES; ILLU


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