FERRARIO, Giulio - Monumenti sacri e profani dell’imperiale e reale basilica di Sant’Ambrogio di Milano. Milan: dalla tipographia dell’autore, 1824.   A fresh copy with coloured plates of the first and only edition of this work entirely dedicated to the medieval basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. The elegant aquatints were made by the most important Milanese engravers, including the famous theatrical scenographer Alessandro Sanquirico (1774-1849) joined by D. Bonatti, G. Gallina and G. Bramati. Of particular interest are internal the perspectives of the basilica and the two external views of the cloister and the presbytery designed by Bramante. Other plates depict antiquities and early medieval reliefs, the pulpit, the high altar, sarcophagi, mosaics and other treasures and architectural elements, along with elevations and various portions of the factory. Ferrario is best known for his famous work on costumes (Milan: 1817-1827), printed in normal and luxury hand-colored copies and this work was also published following the same criteria.   Folio (388 x 268mm). Half-title, 33 plates comprising: a view of the Basilica of S. Ambrogio on title, 31 magnificent aquatint plates mostly in colour and some finely finished by hand, some numbered and others without numbering or with repeated numbers, a General plan of the Church numbered as pl. 3 (slight foxing to margins of text leaves). Contemporary marbled boards with red spine label. Provenance: this same copy was sold in 2008 at Christie's for £ 2,500.

Estimate € 1,200 - 1,500

Sold € 1,100