Details
RYFF, WALTHER HERMANN. Der furnembsten, notwendigsten, der gantzen Architectur angehörigen Mathematischen und Mechanischen künst, eygentlicher bericht, und... unterrichtung, zu rechtem verstande der lehr Vitruvii. Nuremberg: Johan Petreius, 1547. [Bound with:] [RODLER, HIERONYMUS]. Perspectiva. Eyn schön nützlich büchlin und underweisung der kunst des Messens. Frankfurt: Cyriacus Jacob, 1546.
2 vols. in one, folio, 316 x 203 mm., contemporary blind-stamped pigskin, covers with alternating plain and roll-tooled panels, pair of metal clasps, fore-edge lettered in ink "Deutsch perspectiva", somewhat rubbed, corners chipped, upper cover waterstained, lower blank margin of title-leaf to first work cut away, a few small mostly marginal wormholes, fol. 6 creased, occasional dampstaining, most severe at end of second work, the latter lacking final blank leaf, last 2 leaves partly unsewn.
Ryff: FIRST EDITION, 7 parts in one, separately foliated, parts 4, 6 and 7 with separate title-pages, general title printed in red and black, part 7 title with small woodcut of surveyors, both blank leaves present, emblematic woodcut on verso of title representing mathematics, showing a cupid-like figure standing on a geometrical pedestal surrounded by instruments of surveying, measurement, etc. (repeated in part 7), numerous woodcuts throughout, many full-page, of architectural and geometrical diagrams, perspectival views, military engines being used in a siege, surveyors at work, a few diagrams of military deployment in part 5, most by Peter Flötner, 2 full-page woodcuts in part 3 (3br-v) showing the uses of fire, attributed to Georg Pencz, woodcut printer's device at end of parts 5 and 7, xylographic fraktur initials. Adams R-986; BM/STC German, p. 763; Wellcome I, 5670.
Rodler: Second Edition, title printed in red and black, large title woodcut showing a large room with an artist painting and artisans at work (an engraver, a weaver, a potter), numerous woodcuts and diagrams, several full-page, showing the depiction of perspective in interiors and out of doors, several cuts with lines of perspective printed in red. Berlin Katalog 4682.
A fine Sammelband of two German Renaissance works on the application of science to architecture and the visual arts, both among the earliest German works on perspective. Walther Hermann Ryff was a prolific physician from Frankfurt, best known for his many books on surgery, obstetrics, and pharmaceutics. In this rare work he devoted his considerable energies to a survey of the mathematics and mechanics relating to architecture; the work also includes sections on ballistics, gunnery, fortification, and weights and measures.
In his preface, Rodler explains that he intended his book (first published in 1531) as an adaptation for a wider audience of Dürer.Unterweysung der Messung (1525), a guide to the application of practical geometry to drawing and painting. Rodler thought Dürer's work too difficult for practical application by craftsmen. The charming woodcuts are proper to this work and bear little or no relation to Dürer's.
Provenance: "Est Adolfia à Glauburg, Joannis Adolfi a Glauburg, Jacobu Margoardi(?) à Glauburg", contemporary inscription on title (cropped).
2 vols. in one, folio, 316 x 203 mm., contemporary blind-stamped pigskin, covers with alternating plain and roll-tooled panels, pair of metal clasps, fore-edge lettered in ink "Deutsch perspectiva", somewhat rubbed, corners chipped, upper cover waterstained, lower blank margin of title-leaf to first work cut away, a few small mostly marginal wormholes, fol. 6 creased, occasional dampstaining, most severe at end of second work, the latter lacking final blank leaf, last 2 leaves partly unsewn.
Ryff: FIRST EDITION, 7 parts in one, separately foliated, parts 4, 6 and 7 with separate title-pages, general title printed in red and black, part 7 title with small woodcut of surveyors, both blank leaves present, emblematic woodcut on verso of title representing mathematics, showing a cupid-like figure standing on a geometrical pedestal surrounded by instruments of surveying, measurement, etc. (repeated in part 7), numerous woodcuts throughout, many full-page, of architectural and geometrical diagrams, perspectival views, military engines being used in a siege, surveyors at work, a few diagrams of military deployment in part 5, most by Peter Flötner, 2 full-page woodcuts in part 3 (3br-v) showing the uses of fire, attributed to Georg Pencz, woodcut printer's device at end of parts 5 and 7, xylographic fraktur initials. Adams R-986; BM/STC German, p. 763; Wellcome I, 5670.
Rodler: Second Edition, title printed in red and black, large title woodcut showing a large room with an artist painting and artisans at work (an engraver, a weaver, a potter), numerous woodcuts and diagrams, several full-page, showing the depiction of perspective in interiors and out of doors, several cuts with lines of perspective printed in red. Berlin Katalog 4682.
A fine Sammelband of two German Renaissance works on the application of science to architecture and the visual arts, both among the earliest German works on perspective. Walther Hermann Ryff was a prolific physician from Frankfurt, best known for his many books on surgery, obstetrics, and pharmaceutics. In this rare work he devoted his considerable energies to a survey of the mathematics and mechanics relating to architecture; the work also includes sections on ballistics, gunnery, fortification, and weights and measures.
In his preface, Rodler explains that he intended his book (first published in 1531) as an adaptation for a wider audience of Dürer.Unterweysung der Messung (1525), a guide to the application of practical geometry to drawing and painting. Rodler thought Dürer's work too difficult for practical application by craftsmen. The charming woodcuts are proper to this work and bear little or no relation to Dürer's.
Provenance: "Est Adolfia à Glauburg, Joannis Adolfi a Glauburg, Jacobu Margoardi(?) à Glauburg", contemporary inscription on title (cropped).