Description
La fortificatione, guardia, difesa et espugnatione delle fortezze esperimentata in diverse guerre.
In-folio (362 x 250 mm), 3 parts in one volume. Pp (14), 83, (1), 83, (1), 128. Allegorical illustrated frontispiece by Filippo Sadeler, engraved portrait of the author, 48 plates of which 11 double-page by O. Fialetti, woodcut initials (occasional light waterstaining and light spotting, small wormhole at outer margin of final leaves which touches the margin of the final plate). Contemporary stiff vellum with title on spine (probably remboitage)
Comments:
First edition of a renown 17th-century illustrated work with numerous detailed large format illustrations of fortifications. The work represents the best knowledge in terms of military architecture of the XVII century. Francesco Tensini (Crema, 1579-1638) was a learnt military engineer drawing his ingenious solutions with extensive practice. It served as a military since the age of 17 during the siege of Ostenda (Flanders) by the Spanish army under the guidance of general Ambrogio Spinola, nicknamed “l’espugnatore delle fortezze”. He is said to have fought 18 sieges and four defenses in Flanders, Bohemia, Alsace and Piedmont, before being assassinated at home in 1638.
