1772 ❧ ARIOSTO, LUDOVICO. 1474-1533. Orlando Furioso. Venice: Antonio Zatta, 1772-1773. 4 volumes, 4to (approx. 295 x 220 mm). Engraved allegorical frontispiece by Giuliano Zuliani after Pietro Antonio Novelli. 4 engraved title-pages within elaborate ornamental architectural borders of classical weapons, shields, and armor flanking medallions. Engraved oval portrait of Ariosto by G. Daniotto, and 56 fine copper-engraved plates after designs by Novelli, Passega, Carri, and others, engraved by Baratti, Daniotto, and Leonardis. Numerous engraved head-pieces, cules-de-lampe, and typographic decorations throughout. Only very light occasional staining Contemporary morocco-backed boards, green spine labels gilt. Corners rubbed. THE FINE ZATTA ILLUSTRATED EDITION, widely celebrated as one of the true masterpieces of 18th-century Venetian printing. Commissioned to appeal to prestigious European libraries, Zatta's meticulously produced Orlando Furioso revitalized Ariosto's classic Renaissance text with entirely fresh typography and imagery. Every canto opens with an exquisite plate, most of which were designed by the leading Venetian artist Pietro Antonio Novelli, whose work captured the whimsical, epic, and parodic essence of the chivalric romance. Complete sets possessing all plates in matching contemporary bindings are highly sought after. Agnelli-Ravegnani I, p. 202; Brunet I, 437; Morazzoni 213. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing