Architectura vniversalis. Vlm : durch Johann Sebastian Medern, 1635: VERY RARE MILITARY AND CIVIL ARCHITECTURE TREATISE

Renowned and rare first Edition of Joseph Furttenbach Military and civil architecture treatise

Furttenbach, Joseph. Architectura vniversalis, Das ist: Von Kriegs: Statt- vnd Wasser Gebäwen Erstlich, wie man die Statthor vnnd Einlaß, zu Wasser vnd zu Land mit Spitzgatter vnd doppelten Schlagbrucken, darhinder dann ein newe Manier der Soldaten Quartier zu Ross vnd Fuß, erbawen, vnd also vor Feindlichem Anlauff wol verwahren solle ... Auß eigener Experientza und viel-Jähriger Observation zusamen getragen, beschrieben, und mit. 60. Kupfferstucken vorgebildet und delinirt: Durch Josephum Furttenbach. Getruckt in deß Heyligen Römischen Reichs Statt Vlm : durch Johann Sebastian Medern, 1635. Folio (31 x 23 cm), contemporary stiff vellum binding (spine restored), edges sprinkled in red, pp. [26], 159, [1], double page engraved title page, double page engrave portrait of the author, title page in black and red and 60 engraved plates.

double plate engraved Frontispiece and double page portrait of the author (very often missing)

60 double page plates (5 folding)

The Architettura Universalis, the best known among the treatises written by Furttenbach, is divided into 4 parts:

the first dedicated to military architecture, the second to civil architecture, the third focused on the fortification of waterways and the construction of warships, the last part is dedicated to weapons, with splendid representations of cannons.

In details it deals with military architecture and fortification and illustrates barracks and other buildings, such as prisons and special torture chambers. The work also provides a full description of firearms and pieces of artillery, bombs, and fireworks.

It also describes and illustrates a wooden castle that should have been equipped with fireworks, and how the spectators should have arranged themselves around it to better assist the performance.

Beside the military aspects of architecture, Furttenbach deals with the construction of schools, hostels, prisons, houses, baths and hospitals; all the projects, both regarding military or civil architecture, are characterized by practical sense, functionality and feasibility.

Joseph Furttenbach (1591 –1667) was a German mathematician and engineer.

From 1607/08 to 1620 he completed a long journey to Italy. The main purpose of this stay was to learn to become a professional dealer, but in addition, he studied engineering, military architecture, and developed an interest in theatre and set design, and he learned about fireworks and pyrotechnics in Genoa where there was a guild of firework masters.

During his travels he analysed in detail the most important buildings he encountered, but also the main aspects of the social life of the places he lived in, such as parties, processions and theatrical performances.

After his stay in Italy, he moved to Germany and settled in Ulm where he had a successful career becoming director of the Stadtbauamt (City Building Office), designing the Brechhaus (1634), a hospital according the latest Italian style, a theatre with seats for 1,000 people (1641) and a system of aqueducts to serve private homes.

He was a polyvalent expert who also dealt with cartography, chemistry and the design of gardens and parks and he definitively introduced High Renaissance architecture to Germany.

He was also an eclectic collector, and his own Wunderkammer was known and appreciated throughout Europe.

Beside the present Architettura Universalis, he wrote: "Architectura Civilis" (1628), "Architectura Martialis" (1629), "Architectura Recreationis" (1640) and "Architectura Privata' (1641)

Conditions: widespread wormholes perfectly restored at internal margins of some leaves and plates, light stains affecting two plates, beside that a good copy of a rare treatise, complete with the double page portrait of the author, very often missing, with plates in a very early state, with strong impression.

Provenance: Ownership signature Girolamo Torrigliani, at recto of front flyleaf.