A Paris, chez Antoine Chrétien, 1603 [for 1703].
8vo with (5) ll., 363 pages, (1) p., 5 folding plates, (23) ll. of tables, (1) bl. l.
Red morocco, triple gilt fillet around the covers, decorated ribbed spine, gilt inner border, gilt over marbled edges. Contemporary binding.
160 x 93 mm.
Very rare first edition illustrated with 5 folding plates.
Jean-François Félibien, sieur des Avaux, born in Chartres in 1658 and died in Paris on June 23, 1733, was an architect like his father André Félibien, considered the founder of French art history, and also treasurer of the Académie des inscriptions et belles lettres, historiographer to the king and secretary to the Académie royale d’architecture in 1718.
His enthusiasm for the study of painting, sculpture and architecture led to the publication of several works, including this very clear description of the Versailles Palace under Louis XIV. The various stages in the construction of the Palace are described.
His Description sommaire de Versailles follows in the footsteps of his father, who published a Description sommaire du chasteau de Versailles as early as 1674 (republished two years later), and is a major reference for our understanding of Louis XIV’s last Versailles.
Jean-François Félibien continued his work in 1711 with a Description de la chapelle du chasteau de Versailles et des ouvrages de sculpture et de peinture.
The work is illustrated with an allegorical vignette at the head with a general view of the Palace and 5 folding plates:
– Plan de Versailles pour l’ancienne description,
– Plan de Versailles pour la Nouvelle description,
– Vues anciennes et nouvelles du chasteau de Versailles du costé de la ville,
– Vue de la Grande galerie,
– Vues anciennes et Nouvelles du chasteau de Versailles du costé des jardins.
A precious copy preserved in an elegant contemporary red morocco binding.
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