ZOCCHI, Giuseppe. Vedute delle ville, e d’altri luoghi della Toscana. Firenze, Giuseppe Allegrini, 1744In folio oblungo. 380 x 565 mm. Legatura coeva in pergamena con lacci. Frontespizio allegorico inciso da J. G. Seuter su disegno di Zocchi, 50 tavole non numerate, in orizzontale, 440x580 mm., una carta incisa in fine con indice. Tracce d’uso alla legatura, tavole numerate a mano (tranne la 2, la 8 e la 11), ciascuna con didascalia. Qualche pallido alone, qualche strappo e tracce d’uso ai margini, la tavola 8 leggermente più corta e con restauri al verso.Prima edizione. Questa raccolta di vedute delle ville toscane è assai importante per la storia dell’architettura e dei giardini italiani. L'opera fu commissionata dal Marchese Andrea Gerini (1691-1766) per celebrare le bellezze della Toscana sull'esempio del vedutismo veneziano che proprio in quegli anni aveva raggiunto il suo massimo splendore. Giuseppe Zocchi incise tutte le tavole avvalendosi dei disegni di diversi artisti, tutti di alto livello, quali G. B. Piranesi, M. Marieschi, G. Giampiccoli, G. Wagner, P. Monaco, F. Morghen, G. Filosi ed altri. Il risultato fu eccellente e quest'opera rimane come uno dei libri più significativi del '700 toscano.Millard: “The principal etchers of the Vedute delle ville were Giuseppe Benedetti, Pietro Monaco, Filippo Morghen and Joseph Wagner. Among the better-known contributors to the series were the Venetians Michele Marieschi (1696.1743), who in 1741 published his own series of views of Venice, and Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778).<br
The 'Ville' print series is an architectural history of these buildings, defining the representation and self-fashioning of a building type. In contrast with the villas of the Veneto, it is astonishing how few of the elements of classical architecture, such as porticoes, columns, pediments, or parapets with statues, are in use”.Millard, Italian books 169.

Oblong Folio 380 x 565 mm. Contemporary vellum binding with joints. Pictorial title page engraved by J. G. Seuter on a design by Zocchi, 50 unnumbered plates, horizontally, 440x580mm, one leaf engraved at the end with index. Sign of wear at the binding, hand-numbered plates (except 2, 8 and 11), each with caption. Some pale stains, some tears and traces of use on the edges, plate 8 slightly shorter and with restorations on the reverse.
First edition. This collection of views of Tuscan villas is very important for the history of Italian architecture and gardens. The work was commissioned by the Marquis Andrea Gerini (1691-1766) to celebrate the beauties of Tuscany following the example of Venetian landscape painting which in those years had reached its maximum splendor. Giuseppe Zocchi engraved all the tables using the drawings of various artists, all of high level, such as G. B. Piranesi, M. Marieschi, G. Giampiccoli, G. Wagner, P. Monaco, F. Morghen, G. Filosi and others. The result was excellent and this work as one of the most significant remaining books of the Tuscan eighteenth century.Millard: “The main engravers of the Views of the villas were Giuseppe Benedetti, Pietro Monaco, Filippo Morghen and Joseph Wagner. Among the most well-known collaborators in the series were the Venetians Michele Marieschi (1696-1743), who in 1741 published his own series of views of Venice, and Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778). The "Ville" series of prints is an architectural history of these buildings, defining the representation and self-modeling of a type of building. In contrast to the Venetian villas, it is surprising how few elements of classical architecture are in use, such as arcades, columns, pediments or parapets with statues ”.