1828 ❧ The baths of Caracalla. BLOUET, GUILLAUME-ABEL. 1795-1853. Restauration des Thermes d'Antonin Carecalla a Rome, presentee en 1826, et dediee en 1827, a la Academie des beaux-arts de l'Institut royal de France. Paris: Firmin Didot, 1828. Folio (546 x 385 mm). Half-title; 15 engraved plates (one hand-colored, 4 double-page and 5 folding). Some spotting to the plates, slight wax stain to plate 14, spotting to text. Contemporary russia covers panelled in gilt, gilt spine and turn-ins, marbled edges, by Ph. Selenka, Wiesbaden, with his ticket. A FINE SERIES OF PLATES depicting the Baths of Caracalla, which was completed by Severus Alexander, who inaugurated the central bathhouse in 216 CE. The views include ground plans and panoramic elevations of the Baths of Caracalla. Blouet's study presents meticulous reconstructions and plans based on archaeological research and excavations at the site. His reconstruction so impressed the Academie des Beaux-Arts that it was 'accorded the very exceptional honour of publication at the state's expense.' Brunet I: 979 ('tres-bel ouvrage'); RIBA 307; Rossetti 1150. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing