The title of the book I received is entitled: Reigle générale d’architecture des cinq manière de colonnes : à scavoir, tuscane, dorique, ionique, corinth et composite: book enriched of several others, with the example of the antique.
The title is very revealing. Its author, Jean Bullant, talks about the columns and describes them in particular. Furthermore, he describes how they are technically made. His book is intended for all those who are interested in the architecture of columns, therefore architects, but also historians or people who want to learn more about this subject.
The book does not have a list of contents. There is the title, and then Jean Bullant has introduced an introduction, which is similar to a preface. He talks about why he wrote the book.
This book does not have a chapter. It is a succession of drawings of columns and explanatory text relating to the construction of these columns.
The book is extensively illustrated, and it is on these drawings that Jean Bullant has based his entire book. These drawings are hand-drawn by the author.
The book has a large format, but is still rather thin. This format was intended to allow the insertion of drawings large enough for the reader to see in the illustrations what is said in the text. It is slim, since
Jean Bullant is precise and concise in what he says. He does not tell stories, he explains.
He was a French architect. He was controller of the crown buildings for King Henry II in 1557. He also worked for Catherine de Medici. Many of his architectural works were destroyed during the French Revolution. Nevertheless, his plans and engravings from the period remain.