The publication Ten Books on Architecture is the oldest architectural treatise and the only one to have survived complete from pre-Christian times. Not only does it provide us with insight into the architecture of Classical Antiquity and related principles, it also lays the foundations for all discussions on architectural theory since the Renaissance. Dedicated to Emperor Augustus, it was penned by a military engineer serving in the Roman Army who is known to us as Vitruvius. Although the Vitruvian tradition remained alive in numerous medieval manuscripts, it was only of marginal importance for actual building practice. Architects such as Sebastiano Serlio, Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola and Andrea Palladio systemised Vitruvius' doctrine, and made it available to the public in illustrated books. Structural strength, usefulness, beauty or delight, the Vitruvian architectural aesthetic embraces the doctrine of the column orders, correct use of proportions, and the canons of decorum, according to which certain forms were assigned specific gods such as Doric temples to Mars, Minerva and Hercules and Corinthian temples to Venus and the water nymphs and the Ionic-style temple to Juno, Diana and Bacchus. From around 1750 new methods were gradually developed for the description of architecture. The books covers architecture and literature, Humanism, the Renaissance, culture of the court and culture of the city, books and illustrations in books, architectural theory and the social utopia, theory and anti-theory and is organised by Italy, France, England, Germany and the 20th century. Impressively well illustrated throughout with architectural drawings, engravings and colour photos. From Alberti and Palladio to Le Corbusier and Koolhaas, the best treatises by architecture's greatest masters are gathered here. 17 x 24cm, 680 pages. New from Taschen.
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