Giovanni Ludovico Bianconi (1717-1781)

Descrizione dei circhi particolarmente di quello di Caracalla e dei giuochi in essi celebrati opera postuma del consigliere Gio. Lodovico Bianconi ordinata e pubblicata con note dall’avvocato Carlo Fea e corredata da tavole e dalla versione francese In Roma, nella stamperia Pagliarini, 1789.

§ Folio; XXI, [1], CXXX, [2] pag., signature: A-D1-2,E1-3, a-z1-2, aa-kk1-2; large engraved vignette on title page, 2 large engraved head-pieces, 2 large engraved tail-pieces, 20 engraved plates (some folding). Parallel text Italian / French. Contemporary vellum. Some browning in places. Good copy.

First edition, published postumously. Giovanni Ludovico Bianconi (1717-1781) acquired some fame as a physician and was appointed to act in this function for the Elector of Saxony. Less known are his activities in the field of archeology. He conceived the ambitious project to describe all the monuments existing along the Appian road, but he died before he could achieve its aim, leaving only the part concerning the circuses, that was published some years later by the Roman lawyer and amateur archaeologist Carlo Fea. The plates, by Delena, Bossi, Uggeri, Feoli, Barbazza, Legnano and Carattoni were engraved by Angelo Uggeri (1754-1837), a Roman architect. The book is a complete study not only of the architectural features of the Roman circuses, but also of the games there held, such as chariot races, naval fights gladiator duels etc. Bianconi discusses the Etruscan origin of the circus games and the religious ceremonies held in the circuses. “Sonovi oltre a molte vignette allusive al testo venti gran tavole intagliate in rame. Opera accreditata e piena di dottrina” (Cicognara).
Ref. Cicognara 3619; Kissner 579; Brunet I, 848; Olschki, Choix, n. 16463; unknown to Kat. Berl. and Fowler.