Beschreibung:

CABINET DU ROI -- [ Vues, plans, etc. du Chateau de Versailles, avec les statues, termes et vases . Paris: n.d., plates dated 1664-1689]. 2° (494 x 330mm). Engraved throughout. 83 engraved plates, plans and views by Israel Sylvestre, J.B.Nolin, P. Le Pautre, L.Simmoneau, G.Edelinck, G.Audran, L.de Chastillon, F. Chauveau and others. (Some browning, occasional small marginal tears.) Contemporary French red morocco gilt, covers with fillet and roll-tool border with centrally-placed French Royal arms, spine in seven compartments with raised bands, lettered in one, the others with repeat pattern in gilt, g.e. Provenance : Harcourt (Ankerwycke House, Bucks., armorial bookplate). A MAGNIFICENT SERIES OF VIEWS AND PLATES BY SOME OF THE GREATEST ENGRAVERS OF THE PERIOD. This selection forms part of the Cabinet du Roi collection of engravings. The series was undertaken on the orders of the king in an attempt to record the possessions of Louis XIV. The work as a whole was never completed but various categories were published under separate titles. The present series, recording the exterior views of Versailles and its gardens, together with the fountains, statues, and vases to be found in the gardens, is traditionally complete in 78 plates (cf. Brunet) dated between 1672 and 1684. The selection comprises: 17 general plans and views of the exterior of the chateau and its gardens (15 double-page, 2 folding; one unsigned, one by F. de Lapointe, 13 by Israel Sylvestre, one by Nolin and one by Le Pautre); 10 large views of the fountains and their settings (8 double-page, 2 folding; 3 by Le Pautre, 4 by Sylvestre, 1 by L. de Chastillon and 2 by L. Simmoneau); 19 single-page plates of fountains by Le Pautre; 22 single-page plates of statues (9 by G. Edelinck; 3 by G. Audran; 8 by Le Pautre; 2 by F. Chauveau); 9 single-page plates by Le Pautre of herms and 6 single-page plates by Le Pautre of vases. Cf. Brunet I.1442-44.