Lot 235: BARRIERE, Dominique (1622-1678). Villa Aldobrandiana sive varii illius Hortorum et Fontium prospectus. Rome: 1647.

Description

2o (384 x 260mm). Engraved throughout. Title, dedication to Louis XIV, 'Ad lectorem' leaf, 19 plates, five double-page and one folding, all by BarriŠre. (Some light browning.) 18th-century mottled calf gilt, spine in seven compartments with raised bands, the first with calf lettering-piece bearing the gilt coroneted 'D' of the Dukes of Devonshire, the second with green morocco lettering-piece, (extremities scuffed, spine chipped). Provenance : the Dukes of Devonshire (binding, Chiswick House bookplate). A fine series celebrating the Villa Aldobrandini in Rome. The plates including 5 double-page or folding general views of the house, its setting and the gardens, 3 views of specific 'attractions' in and around the villa, 10 plates illustrating scenes from classical mythology by BarriŠre after Dominicus Zampier, and a final double-page plan of the house and gardens. The villa was built at the beginning of the 17th-century for Pietro Aldobrandini, nephew of Pope Clement VIII. The grounds included a number of hidden dangers: water-spouts were set to drench the unwary at various strategic locations (including one on the main set of steps into the villa). Berlin Kat. 3490.