Raccolta dei Disegni delle Fabbriche regie de'Bagni di Montecatini nella Valdinievole.

(PAOLETTI, Niccolo Gasparo) Architectural designs for the spa of Montecatini, west of Florence, commissioned by the enlightened Tusca grandduke

Published by Florence, 1787., 1787

About this Item

Raccolta dei Disegni delle Fabbriche regie de'Bagni di Montecatini nella Valdinievole. Florence, 1787. Large folio.With engraved title-leaf + 6p + 15 double-page engravings (ie general view + 14 numbered plates). Contemporary vellum; lower front corner worn. A magnificent record of the new buildings attached to the ancient thermal resort of Montecatini, west of Florence, built for the reforming Tuscan Grand Duke Peter Leopold between 1774 and 1778 by Niccolo Gasparo Paoletti (1727-1813). The opening landscape vista shows the organisation of this new layout as visualized by the architect from the principal viewpoint (he is seated with sketchpad in foreground). The piazza contains the classical arcaded main baths and the handsome building which conducts the saline waters from the basin, termed 'Tettucio', to the various bath houses, including that of the Grand Duke to the left of the square. The main tree-lined avenue leads to the royal palazzina and residences of the Benedictine monks of the Badìa in Florence. On the surrounding hills picturesque landmarks point to the historic significance of the site - the castle of Monte Catini and its ancient town, the circular cold baths of the Medici, the medieval palazzo of the Marchese Ferroni. The 14 plates of the new complex give an overview map of the setting, cross-sections, façades and internal layouts of the establishments, and details of the engineering network and lead pipes conducting the waters to individual chambers and open baths. The title-page with armorial shield set on architectural balustrade before a background of Montecatini, and the double-page general view, were drawn by Antonio Terreni, the following 14 numbered plates are signed variously by the architect Niccolo Paoletti, the chief engineer Antonio Capretti and the designer Giuseppe Puliti; among engravers were Gaetano Vascellini, Cosimo Zocchi and Giovanni Battista Cecchi, Benedetto Eredi and Ferdinando Gregori, all of the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Florence. Generally a very good copy, faint foxing on back of one or two plates, and lightly in margin of title. Berlin Katalog 2731.

Seller Inventory # 856

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Raccolta dei Disegni delle Fabbriche regie de'Bagni di Montecatini nella Valdinievole.
• Publisher: Florence, 1787.
• Publication Date: 1787
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)