Italian

Trattato della Misura delle Fabbriche

A civil engineer, Alberti worked on projects in Umbria and Emilia and became famous for his two works on the mathematics of engineering, of which this is one. The book is an extensive and thorough guide to stereometry. It demonstrates the techniques for calculating volumes of all kinds of spaces, structures, and vaults. It is illustrated in detail with a fine portrait of Alberti.

Il Manoscritto Messicano Vaticano 3773

Donated to the Smithsonian by the Duc de Loubat, who funded its publication, this small book is a chromo-photographic facsimile of a Nahua manuscript describing the 260-day ritual cycle of the Aztec calendar. Also identified as Codex Vaticanus B, it is the only hand-painted book of the Borgia Group (primarily religious manuscripts from central Mexico) to retain the complete original appearance of a Pre-Columbian codex which the facsimile faithfully reproduces: painted on both sides in an accordion-fold format with a wooden cover.

The Castle of Otranto

First published under a pseudonym and presented as a "found" manuscript in 1764, this fictional work by the son of a British Prime Minister is generally considered the first Gothic novel. This story of ancient prophecy, inheritance and intrigue has many fantastic and romantic elements. Later editions (like this one) were openly attributed to author Horace Walpole in the preface. Our copy has a hidden fore-edge painting (a decorative scene painted directly on the edge of the text block, then gilt) of a landscape.

Joannis Baptistae Morgagni Foroliviensis ... Adversaria Anatomica Omnia

Adversaria anatomica omnia is a series of observations on fine anatomy, particularly human internal organs. Morgagni's profoundly intriguing intellect is apparent even in this early work. Despite the modesty of its title "Notes on anatomy," Morgagni's book actually records a whole succession of discoveries regarding minute organic mechanisms. These represent new contributions to the mechanical interpretation of the structure of the human body.

Vestigia delle Terme di Tito e Loro Interne Pitture

An ornate album of engravings in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum Library depicting the stunning frescos found on the walls of The Baths of Titus at Nero's Domus Aureus (Golden House) first excavated in 1460. Carloni's beautifully rendered plates faithfully capture the ancient Roman grotesque style, which became a hallmark of Renaissance Art influencing and inspiring such artists as Michelangelo and Raphael. Etched plates throughout.










 

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