The architecture of Leon Batista Alberti. In ten books.
Of painting. In three books. And of statuary. In one book. Translated into Italian by Cosimo Bartoli. And into English by James Leoni. Illustrated with seventy-five copper-plates, engraved by Mr. Picart. In one volume
by Leon Battista Alberti
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Book Details
Table of Contents
BOOK I.
CHAP. I. Of Designs; their Value and Rules.
CHAP. II. Of the first Occasion of erecting Edifices;
of how many Parts the Art of Building consists, and what is necessary to each of those Parts.
CHAP. III. Of the Region of the Climate or Air, of the Sun and Winds which affect the Air.
CHAP. IV. Which Region is, and which is not commodious for Building.
CHAP. V. By what Marks and Characters we are to know the Goodness of the Region.
CHAP. VI. Of some hidden Conveniencies and Inconveniencies of the Region which a wise Man ought to enquire into.
CHAP. VII. Of the Seat, or Platform, and of the several Sorts of Lines.
CHAP. VIII. Of the Kinds of Platforms, their Forms and Figures, and which are the most serviceable and lasting.
CHAP. IX. Of the Compartition, and of the Origin of Building.
CHAP. X. Of the Columns and Walls, and some Observations relating to the Columns.
CHAP. XI. Of the great Usefulness of the Coverings both to the Inhabitants and the other Parts of the Building,and that being various in their Natures, they must be made of various Sorts.
CHAP. XII. Of the Apertures in the Building, that is to say, of the Windows and Doors, and of those which do not take up the whole Thickness of the Wall, and their Number and Sizes.
CHAP. XIII. Of the Stair−cases, and their different Sorts; of Steps of the Stairs which ought to be in odd Numbers, and how many. Of the Resting−places, of the Tunnels for carrying away the Smoke. Of Pipes and Conduits for carrying off the Water, and of the proper placing of Wells and Sinks.
BOOK II.
CHAP. I. Treating of the Materials. That no Man
ought to begin a Building hastily, but should
first take a good deal of Time to consider, and revolve in
his Mind all the Qualities and Requisites of such a Work:
And that he should carefully review and examine, with
the Advice of proper Judges, the whole Structure in it−
self, and the Proportions and Measures of every distinct
Part, not only in Draughts or Paintings, but in actual
Models of Wood or some other Substance, that when he
has finished his Building, he may not repent of his Labour.
CHAP. II. That we ought to undertake nothing above our
Abilities, nor strive against Nature, and that we ought
also not only to consider what we can do, but what is fit
for us to do, and in what Place it is that we are to build.
CHAP. III. That having considered the whole Disposition
of the Building in all the Parts of the Model, we ought
to take the Advice of prudent and understanding Men,
and before we begin our Work, it will not only be proper
to know how to raise Money for the Expence, but also
long before−hand to provide all the Materials for com−
pleating such an Undertaking.
CHAP. IV. What Materials are to be provided for the
Building, what Workmen to be chose, and in what Sea−
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sons, according to the Opinions of the Ancients, to cut
Timber.
CHAP. V. Of preserving the Trees after they are cut,
what to plaister or anoint them with, of the Remedies
against their Infirmities, and of allotting them their pro−
per Places in the Building.
CHAP. VI. What Woods are most proper for Buildings,
their Nature and Uses, how they are to be employed, and
in what Part of the Edifice each Kind is most fit for.
CHAP. VII. Of Trees more summarily and in general.
CHAP. VIII. Of Stones in general, when they are to be
dug, and when used; which are the softest and which
the hardest, and which best and most durable.
CHAP. IX. Some Things worthy memorial, relating to
Stones, left us by the Ancients.
CHAP. X. Of the Origin of the Use of Bricks, in what
Season they ought to be made, and in what Shapes, their
different Sorts, and the Usefulness of triangular ones;
and briefly, of all other Works made of baked Earth.
CHAP. XI. Of the Nature of Lime and Plaister of Paris,
their Uses and Kinds, wherein they agree and wherein
they differ, and of some Things not unworthy of Memory.
CHAP. XII. Of the three different Kinds of Sands, and of the
various Materials used in Building in different Places.
CHAP. XIII. Whether the Observation of Times and Sea−
sons is of any Use in beginning a Building; what Sea−
son is most convenient; as also, with what Auguries or
Prayers we ought to set out upon our Work.
BOOK III.
CHAP. I. Of the Work. Wherein lies the Business of
the Work; the different Parts of the Walls,
and what they require. That the Foundation is no Part
of the Wall; what Soil makes the best Foundation.
CHAP. II. That the Foundation chiefly is to be marked out
with Lines; and by what Tokens we may know the
Goodness of the Ground.
CHAP. III. That the Nature of Places is various, and
therefore we ought not to trust any Place too hastily, till
we have first dug Wells or Reservoirs; but that in marshy
Places we must make our Foundation with Piles burnt
at the Ends, and driven in with their Heads downward
with light Beetles, and many repeated Blows, till they
are driven quite in to the Head.
CHAP. IV. Of the Nature, Forms and Qualities of Stones,
and of the Tempering of Mortar.
CHAP. V. Of the lower Courses or Foundations, accord−
ing to the Precepts and Example of the Ancients.
CHAP. VI. That there ought to be Vents left open in
thick Walls from the Bottom to the Top, the Difference
between the Wall and the Foundation: The principal
Parts of the Wall; the three Methods of Wailing; the
Materials and Form of the first Course or Layer.
CHAP. VII. Of the Generation of Stones: How they are
to be disposed and joined together, as also, which are the
strongest and which the weakest.
CHAP. VIII. Of the Parts of the Finishing; of the Shells,
the Stuffing, and their different Sorts.
CHAP. IX. Of the Girders of Stone, of the Ligament and
Fortification of the Cornices, and how to unite several
Stones for the Strengthening of the Wall.
CHAP. X. Of the true Manner of Working the Wall,
and of the Agreement there is between Stone and Sand.
CHAP. XI. Of the Way of Working different Materials;
of Plaistering, of Cramps, and how to preserve them;
the most ancient Instructions of Architects; and some
Methods to prevent the Mischiefs of Lightning.
CHAP. XII. Of Coverings of streight Lines; of the Beams
and Rafters, and of the uniting the Ribs.
CHAP. XIII. Of Coverings, or Roofs of Curve Lines; of
Arches, their Difference and Construction, and how to
set the Stones in an Arch.
CHAP. XIV. Of the several Sorts of Vaults, and wherein
they differ; of what Lines they are composed, and the
Method of letting them settle.
CHAP. XV. Of the Shell of the Covering, and its Useful−
ness; the different Sorts and Shapes of Tiles, and what
to make them of.
CHAP. XVI. Of Pavements according to the Opinion of
Pliny and Vitruvius, and the Works of the Ancients;
and of the proper Seasons for beginning, and finishing
the several Parts of Building.
BOOK IV.
CHAP. I. Of Works of a publick Nature. That all
Buildings, whether contrived for Necessity,
Conveniency, or Pleasure, were intended for the Service
of Mankind. Of the several Divisions of human Condi−
tions, whence arises the Diversity of Buildings.
CHAP. II. Of the Region, Place, and Conveniencies, and
Inconveniencies of a Situation for a City, according to
the Opinion of the Ancients, and that of the Author.
CHAP. III. Of the Compass, Space and Bigness of a City,
of the Form and Disposition of the Walls and Fortifica−
tions, and of the Customs and Ceremonies observed by the
Ancients in making them out.
CHAP. IV. Of Walls, Battlements, Towers, Cornishes and
Gates, and the Timber−work belonging to them.
CHAP. V. Of the Proportion, Fashion and Construction of
great military Ways, and private Ways.
CHAP. VI. Of Bridges both of Wood and Stone, their pro−
per Situation, their Piers, Arches, Angles, Feet, Key−
stones, Cramps, Pavements, and Slopes.
CHAP. VII. Of Drains or Sewers, their disferent Sorts
and Uses; and of Rivers and Canals for Ships.
CHAP. VIII. Of the proper Structure for a Haven, and
of making convenient Squares in the City.
BOOK V.
CHAP. I. Of Buildings for particular Persons. Of the
Castles or Habitations of a King, or others;
their different Properties and Parts.
CHAP. II. Of the Portico, Vestibule, Court−yard, Hall,
Stairs, Lobbies, Apertures, Back−doors, concealed Pass−
ages and private Apartments; and wherein the Houses
of Princes differ from those of private Men; as also of
the separate and common Apartments for the Prince
and his Spouse.
CHAP. III. Of the Properties of the Portico, Lobby, Halls
both for Summer and Winter, Watch−Towers and of the
Difference between the Castle for a Tyrant, and the
Palace for a King.
CHAP. IV. Of the proper Situation, Structure and For−
tification of a Fortress, whether in a Plain, or upon a
Hill, its Inclosure, Area, Walls, Ditches, Bridges, and
Towers.
CHAP. V. Of those Parts of the Fortress where the Soldiers are to stand either to keep centinel, or to fight. Of the
covering Roof of the Fortress, and in what Manner it
is to be made strong, and of the other Conveniencies ne−
cessary in the Castle either of a King or a Tyrant.
CHAP. VI. Of the several Parts of which the Republick
consists. The proper Situation and Building for the
Houses of those that govern the Republick, and of the
Priests. Of Temples as well large as sinall, Chapels
and Oratories.
CHAP. VII. That the Priest' s Camp is the Cloyster; the
Duty of the Priest; the various Sorts of Cloysiers and
their proper Situation.
CHAP. VIII. Of Places sor Exercise, publick Schools, and
Hospitals both for Men and Women.
CHAP. IX. Of the Senate−house, the Temple, and the Tri−
bunals for the Administration of Justice.
CHAP. X. That Incampments, or Lodgments for Soldiers
by Land are of three Sorts; in what Manner they are
to be fortified; and the various Methods used by diffe−
rent Nations.
CHAP. XI. The most convenient Situation for a Camp,
and its Size, Form and various Parts; together with
the different Methods of attacking and defending a Camp
or other Fortification.
CHAP. XII. Of Incampments or Stations at Sea, which
are Fleets; of Ships and their Parts; as also of Havens
and their proper Fortification.
CHAP. XIII. Of the Commissaries, Chamberlains, publick
Receivers and the like Magistrates, whose Business is to
supply and preside over the publick Granaries, Chambers
of Accounts, Arsenals, Marts, Docks and Stables; as
also of the three Sorts of Prisons, their Structures, Situations, and Compartitions.
CHAP. XIV. Of private Houses and their Differences;
as also of the Country House, and the Rules to be observed
in its Situation and Structure.
CHAP. XV. That Country Houses are of two Sorts; the
proper Disposition of all their Members whether for the
Lodging of Men, Animals, or Tools for Agriculture
and other necessary Instruments,
CHAP. XVI. That the Industry of the Farmer or Overseer
ought to be employed as well about all Sorts of Animals,
as about the Fruits of the Earth; as also of the Con−
struction of the Threshing−floor.
CHAP. XVII. Of the Country House for a Gentleman;
its various Parts, and the proper Disposition of each of
those Parts.
CHAP. XVIII. The Difference between the Country House
and Town House for the Rich. The Habitation of the
middling Sort ought to resemble those of the Rich; at
least in Proportion to their Circumstances. Buildings
should be contrived more for Summer than for Winter.
BOOK VI.
CHAP. I. Of the Reason and Difficulty of the Author' s
Undertaking, whereby it appears how much
Pains, Study and Application he has employed in writ−
ing upon these Matters.
CHAP. II. Of Beauty and Ornament, their Effects and
Difference, that they are owing to Art and Exactness
of Proportion; as also of the Birth and Progress of Arts.
CHAP. III. That Architecture began in Asia, flourished in
Greece, and was brought to Perfection in Italy.
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CHAP. IV. That Beauty and Ornament in every Thing
arise either srom Contrivance, or the Hand of the Arti−
ficer, or from Nature; and that though the Region in−
deed can hardly be improved by the Wit or Labour of
Man, yet many other Things may be done highly worthy
of Admiration, and scarcely credible.
CHAP. V. A short Recapitulation of the Compartition,
and of the just Composition and adorning the Wall and
Covering.
CHAP. VI. In what Manner great Weights and large
Stones are moved from one Place to another, or raised to
any great Height.
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CHAP. VII. Of Wheels, Pins, Leavers, Pullies, their
Parts, Sizes, and Figures.
CHAP. VIII. Of the Skrew and its Circles or Worm, and
in what manner great Weights are either drawn, car−
ried or pushed along.
CHAP. IX. That the Incrustations which are made upon
the Wall with Mortar, must be three in Number: How
they are to be made, and to what Purposes they are to
serve. Of the several Sorts of Mortar, and in what
Manner the Lime is to be prepared for making them:
Of Bass−relieves in stuc−work and Paintings, with
which the Wall may be adorned.
CHAP. X. Of the Method of cutting of Marble into thin
Seantlings, and what Sand is best for that Purpose; as
also of the Difference and Agreement between Mosaic
Work in Relieve, and Flat, and of the Cement to be used
in that Sort of Work.
CHAP. XI. Of the Ornaments of the Covering, which con−
sists in the Richness and Beauty of the Rafters, Vaults,
and open Terrasses.
CHAP. XII. That the Ornaments of the Apertures are
very pleasing, but are attended with many and various
Difficu ties and Inconveniencies; that the false Aper−
tures are of two Sorts, and what is required in each.
CHAP. XIII Of Columns and their Ornaments, their
Plans, Axes, Out−lines, Sweeps, Diminutions, Swells,
Asiragals and Fillets.
BOOK VII.
CHAP. I. That the Walls of Cities, the Temples, and Courts of Justice, used to be consecreated to the Gods; of the proper Region for the City, its Situation and principal Ornaments.
CHAP. II. Of how large and what Kind of Stone the Walls ought to be built, and who were the first that erected Temples.
CHAP. III. With how much Thought, Care and Diligence we ought to lay out and adorn our Temples; to what Gods and in what Places we should build them, and of the various Kinds of Sacrifices.
CHAP. IV. Of the Parts, Forms and Figures of Temples and their Chapels, and how these latter should be distributed.
CHAP. V. Of the Porticoes and Entrance to the Temple, its Ascent and the Apertures and Interspaces of the Portico.
CHAP. VI. Of Columns, and the different Sorts of Capitals.
CHAP. VII. A necessary Rehearsal of the several Members of Columns, the Base, Torus, Scotia, Lists, Die, and of the smaller Parts of those Members, the Platband, Corona, Ovolo, small Ogee, Cima−inversa, and
Cymatium, both upright and reversed.
CHAP. VIII. Of the Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Com−
posite Capitals.
CHAP. IX. Of the Entablature, the Architrave, Tri−
glyphs, Dentils, Mutules, Cavetto, and Drip or Corona,
as also of the Flutings and some other Ornaments be−
longing to Columns.
CHAP. X. Of the Pavement of the Temple and its inner
Area, of the Place sor the Altar, and of the Walls and
their Ornaments.
CHAP. XI. Why the Rooss of Temples ought to be arched.
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CHAP. XII. Of the Apertures proper to Temples, namely,
the Windows, Doors, and Valves; together with their
Members, Proportions and Ornaments.
CHAP. XIII. Of the Altar, Communion, Lights, Candle−
sticks, holy Vessels, and some other noble Ornaments of
Temples.
CHAP. XIV. Of the first Original of Basiliques, their
Porticoes and different Members, and wherein they dif−
fer from Temples.
CHAP. XV. Of Colonnades both with Architraves and
with Arches; what Sort of Columns are to be used in
Basiliques, and what Cornices, and where they are to be
placed; of the Height and Wedth of Windows and
their Gratings; of the Roofs and Doors of Basiliques,
and their Ornaments.
CHAP. XVI. Of Monuments raised for preserving the
Memory of publick Actions and Events.
CHAP. XVII. Whether Statues ought to be placed in
Temples, and what Materials are the most proper for
making them.
BOOK VIII.
CHAP. I. Of the Ornaments of the great Ways either
within or without the City, and of the pro−
per Places for interring or burning the Bodies of the
Dead.
CHAP. II. Of Sepulchres, and the various Manners of
burial.
CHAP. III. Of little Chapels, by Way of Sepulchres, Py−
ramids, Columns, Altars and Moles.
CHAP. IV. Of the Inseriptions and Symbols carved on Sepulchres.
CHAP. V. Of Towers and their Ornaments.
CHAP. VI. Of the principal Ways belonging to the City,
and the Methods of adorning the Haven, Gates, Bridges,
Arches, Cross−ways and Squares.
CHAP. VII. Of the adorning Theatres and other Places
for publick Shows, and of their Usefulness.
CHAP. VIII. Of the Ornaments of the Amphitheatre,
Circus, publick Walks, and Halls, and Courts for petty
Judges.
CHAP. IX. Of the proper Ornaments for the Senate−
House and Council−Chambers, as also of the adorning the
City with Groves, Lakes for Swimming, Libraries,
Schools, publick Stables, Arsenals, and mathematical
Instruments.
CHAP. X. Of Thermes or publick Baths; their Conveni−
encies and Ornaments.
BOOK IX.
CHAP. I. That particular Regard must be had to
Frugality and Parsimony, and of the adorn−
ing the Palaces or Houses of the King and principal
Magistrates.
CHAP. II. Of adorning of private Houses, both in City
and Country.
CHAP. III. That the Parts and Members of a House are
different both in Nature and Species, and that they are
to be adorned in various Manners.
CHAP. IV. With what Paintings, Plants, and Statues,
it is proper to adorn the Pavements, Porticoes, Apartments and Gardens of a private House.
CHAP. V. That the Beauty of all Edifices arises principally from three Things, namely, the Number, Figure
and Collocation of the several Members.
CHAP. VI. Of the Proportions of Numbers in the Mea−
suring of Areas, and the Rules for some other Proper−
tions drawn neither from natural Bodies, nor from Har−
mony.
CHAP. VII. Of the Invention of Columns, their Dimen−
tions and Collocation.
CHAP. VIII. Some short, but general Observations which
may be locked upon as Laws in the Business of Building
and Ornaments.
CHAP. IX. The Business and Duty of a good Architect,
and wherein the Excellence of the Ornaments consists.
CHAP. X. What it is that an Architect ought principall
to consider, and what Sciences he ought to be acquaint−
ed with.
CHAP. XI. To what Sort of Persons the Architect ought
to offer his Service.
BOOK X.
CHAP. I. Of the Defects in Building, whence they pro−
ceed, and their different Sorts; which of
them can be corrected by the Architect, and which can−
not; and the various Causes of a bad Air.
CHAP. II. That Water is the most necessary Thing of all,
and of its various Sorts.
CHAP. III. Four Things to be considered with Relation to
Water; also whence it is engendered or arises, and its
Course.
CHAP. IV. By what Marks to find any hidden Water.
CHAP. V. Of the Digging and Walling of Wells and
Conduits.
CHAP. VI. Of the Uses of Water; which is best and most
wholesome; and that which is unwholesome.
CHAP. VII. Of the Method of conveying Water and ac−
commodating it to the Uses of Men.
CHAP. VIII. Of Cisterns, their Uses and Conveniencies.
CHAP. IX. Of planting a Vineyard in a Meadow, or a
Wood in a Marsh; and how we may amend a Region
which is molested with too much Water.
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CHAP. X. Of Roads; of Passages by Water and of artifi−
cial Banks to Rivers.
CHAP. XI. Of Canals; how they are to be kept well sup−
plied with Water, and the Uses of them not obstructed.
CHAP. XII. Of the Sea Wall; of strengthening the Ports;
and of Locks for confining the Water in it.
CHAP. XIII. Of the Remedies for some other Inconveni−
encies.
CHAP. XIV. Some more minute Particulars relating to
the Use of Fire.
CHAP. XV. By what Methods to destroy or drive away
Serpents, Gnats, Bugs, Flies, Mice, Fleas, Moths, and
the like troublesome Vermin.
CHAP. XVI. Of making a Room either warmer or cooler;
as also of amending Defects in the Walls.
CHAP. XVII. Of some Defects which cannot be provided
against, but which may be repaired after they have hap−
pened.
Edition Notes
Microfilm. Woodbridge, CT Research Publications, Inc., 1986. 1 reel ; 35mm. (The Eighteenth Century ; reel 5668, no. 1).
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