The title of my book is “Regola delli cinq ordini d’architettura” by Vignola. The title reveals that the book is about the five orders of architecture. The book contains only pictures with a little bit of text. Already after the first few pages, the five orders are introduced. The structure of the book is divided into different sections. The sections deal with the five orders, namely Tuscan, Doric, Ionian and Corinthian. These in turn are divided into different parts such as colonnade, arcade and pedestals. The pictures in the book are exclusively illustrations and hand drawings. The drawings are very detailed and the dimensions are given precisely. The pictures show excerpts of columns, colonnades and pedestals of the five orders. I think the book wants to make a comparison of the different orders and demonstrate the differences and similarities, as well as the pros and cons.
The book is very big and heavy. The book has a large number of pages, but the pages are very thin and filigree. The book has accordingly many pages. It is bound in a simple leather cover without decoration or pictures.
The author is pictured on the first page. I think he illustrated him himself. In his book he followed the intention to depict classical architecture. He followed the principles of Vitruvius, but also of Sebastian Serlo. His whole name is Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola and he was considered a very successful architect in the 16th century.
There are many different editions of the book in different languages. Although the book consists only of pictures, it is one of the most successful works on architecture.
I found it very exciting to watch the book, as it is very unusual to see such an old book live. I also find it very impressive how precise Vignola worked and how detailed the drawings are.