[PIAZZETTA, Giovanni Battista (1683-1754)] - Torquato TASSO (1544-1595) - La Gerusalemme liberata..con le figure di Giambattista Piazzetta. Venice: Giambattista Albrizzi, 1745.   A copy in red morocco and with good margins of the most important Venetian illustrated book of the eighteenth century. All plates and the portrait of the Empress are in the first state, with the dedications beneath each plate and the rococo scrolls around the culs-de-lampes which were omitted in the second state. "It is apt to consider the most beautiful illustrated book, the Gerusalemme Liberata by Piazzetta. Piazzetta proceeds from miracle to miracle – gives a bold proportion and transforms vignettes into the first real decorative etchings, which occupy a full-page' (Morazzoni). "The publication of Torquato Tasso's epic poem, La Gerusalemme Liberata, by Giovanni Battista Albrizzi is the supreme achievement of Venetian eighteenth-century book production" (Knox).   Folio (445 x 295mm). Half-title, title printed in red and black with engraved vignette, engraved allegorical frontispiece, engraved portrait of the dedicatee Empress Maria Theresa, 20 plates with ornamental borders, 20 pictorial head-pieces and 20 culs-de-lampe of which 6 full-page; as in all copies p. 14 is omitted in the numbering, as well as the cartulation at the end of cantos VIII, X, XI and XIV (some light staining and soiling, light and small marginal waterstains to the final leaves, occasional light foxing and browning). Red morocco, titles and fine gilt decorations on spine, covers and dentelles, gilt edges, marbled endpapers (some wear, losses to the front joint and to corners, some scuffing to rear cover, some tears and slight losses to endpapers). Provenance: "From J.K.J. to E.S.D." (engraved label on front endpaper).

Estimate € 4,000 - 7,000

Sold € 4,000