Treatise on Architecture, 1776

Architecture, 1776. Élémens d'Architecture [Troisième Partie]. Pierre Panseron. 48 Engravings. This antique book is a treatise on architecture written by Pierre Panseron (17361787) and published in France in 1776. The book is the third part of a compendium entitled Éléments d'Architecture and preserves all its original pages, engravings and binding. The work is printed on A5-format paper and contains forty-eight engravings and fold-out etchings with a high aesthetic and historic interest. Some fold-out pages are slightly torn but they have no missing parts. This books full title is Élémens d'Architecture [Troisième Partie]; the first and second parts were published in 1773. In the first volume of the treatise, Panseron describes the five basic classic architectural orders: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Mixed. The second part of the work explains how to adapt and include sculptures in architectural schemes, while the third volume (the book we can see in these images) explains the way to apply architectural orders to the construction of buildings. In the beginning of the book we can see a detailed index with the different chapters and contents, with subjects such as the origins of architecture, architectural elements, gardens and decoration, among others. To the left of the first printed page we can see several signatures and hand-written inscriptions with the name Simon in some of them. As well as the beautiful plans and illustrations, the book also contains some decorative engravings that embellish the edition such as the one heading the first chapter about the origins of architecture. The books binding is the original one and has leather-covered spine (somewhat worn) and covers lined with bright blue paper. As antique as fascinating, this treatise on architecture still preserves its original relevance, interest and beauty. Measurements: Width: 6.4 in / 16.5 cm. Height: 8.6 in / 22 cm.