In Venetia,: Appresso Antonio Pinargenti., M. D. LXVIII.
Physical Description
[6], 111, [1] p., t.pl.: illus.; 217 mm. (Quarto.)
General Note
The Registro reads: * A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T. Tutti sono quaderni, eccetto, G H I K L M N O P Q. ch'è duerni.
Contents
[T.pl., dedic., dedic.] - Tavola Di Quello si contiene ne l'Opera - [Text]; Registro.
Responsibility Note
The illustrations are unsigned; but in his Dedication Giulio Fontana states that they were made by him, because the original plates of the 1553 edition were now consumed by age. The prints of the 1553 edition are usually attributed to Jan van der Straet (1523-1605), but sometimes to Michelangelo Buonarroti.
The dedication of this edition is by Giulio Fontana, Pittore, to Giovanni Manriche (1568); the second dedication is a reprint of that of the 1553 edition, from Camillo Agrippa to Cosimo De Medici, Duca Di Fiorenza.
References
A. Baroni Vannucci, Jan van der Straet (1997).
On the history of fencing see H.W. Pardoel, Fencing: a bibliography (after 1996); M. Bower, Foil fencing (1993); E. Castle, Schools and masters of fence (1892; 3rd. ed. 1969).
Summary Note
Besides being a noted fencer, Agrippa was a considerable engineer and mathematician. Here on the basis of geometric theory he proposes significant changes to swordsmanship.
The engraved title-plate shows figures representing Mars and Minerva, and incorporates a portrait of Agrippa.
The illustrations of the Trattato show various positions in fencing (the fencers usually represented naked). Many spread across two pages. The one illustration of the Dialogo shows two zodiacal or astronomic figures. The illustrations are free copies of those in the 1553 edition (Rome: Blado).
Provenance
The verso of the front loose endpaper is inscribed in pencil, 'S.A.H.', i.e. S.A. Hart, librarian of the Royal Academy 1864-81.
Purchased for RA Library in 1869 (see 'Library Report for the year 1869', RA Annual Report, Appendix No. 6, p. 27).
Copy Note
The front pastedown is inscribed in pencil, 'The Figures are attributed to Michael Angelo. A copy sold in Paris 1857. 170 Francs'.