1810 ❧ A fabulous coloring book. BASOLI GUELFESE, ANTONIO. Raccolta di Prospettive Serie, Rustiche, E di Paesaggio, Dedicate al Merito di Alcuni Mecenati, Professori, Amatori di Belle Arti, Ed Amici...inventate da Antonio Basoli...disegnate da Franceso Cocchi...incise da diversi scuolari... Bologna: [the author], 1810. Oblong folio (360 x 480 mm). Title page with vignette, 102 numbered and signed [in plate] etched plates. Marginal staining. Contemporary boards, tastefully rebacked in morocco FIRST EDITION of this grand neo-classic view book illustrated with large oblong etched plates designed to be colored by aspiring artists, students from the Art Academy, and art lovers. The etched plates were purposefully designed and printed 'a semplice contorno' - with simple lines - so that individual plates could be watercolored. An intriguing concept for artistic training, architectural and perspective instruction, and for documenting the prevailing subject matter used by contemporary artists, interior decorators and theatrical set designers. The views include imaginary cityscapes and landscapes in Italy, among which the 'Gran Veglio' from Dante; prisons based on Piranesi's Carceri; American rustic cabins and indigenous Indian architectural structures; imaginary Egyptian and classical Roman buildings, plazas and interiors; Chinese and Arabian palaces, mosques and plazas; catacombs; landscape gardens; Grand Tour towns and romantic landscape views; classical ruins; Romantic rustic scenes; and numerous imaginary architectural constructs. Several etchings are linked to theatrical productions, with many images appearing to be influenced by the grand sets created by Alessandro Sanquirico (1777-1849) for La Scala. Brunet I, 692. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing