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225 - VINCI (Leonardo). Treatise on Painting.
See original version (French)

Estimate €800 - €1,000
Description
VINCI (Leonardo). Treatise on Painting. Paris, Printed by Jacques Langlois, 1651. Folio, grained calfskin, decorated spine (contemporary binding). First edition of the French translation of Leonardo da Vinci’s (1452–1519) theoretical writings on art. The illustrations consist of a copperplate-engraved frontispiece, signed Lochon, featuring a highly expressive portrait of Leonardo, and 56 intaglio engravings within the text, executed from drawings by Nicolas Poussin, depicting figures of geometry and anatomy. Among these is the portrait of the Mona Lisa, engraved in reverse compared to the original work, which serves as an illustration for chapter 287. It would appear that this is the first depiction in a book of this most famous of all portraits. Two handwritten bookplates on the title page: ‘Ex-libris Thomae de la Couldre D. de la Bretonniere, Empt. Par. 3 May 1672 10 lib.’, and ‘De Boisgrimot, Prior’. A tear, restored without loss, at the top of the frontispiece, on the title page and on folios A4, B3, E1, K2, L3, M4 and Q4. Water stain and soiling on folio F1. Binding roughly restored, with a modern lining. Expert: Mr Dominique Courvoisier
See original version (French)
About the sale TREASURES OF THE LOIRE VALLEY: books and archaeology
Auction location
Auction time 11/23/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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