Progymnasmata architectonica
Subject and organisation
The book “progymnasmata architectonica” by Benjamin Hederich is divided into two parts. The first part consists of sixteen “Übungen” (exercises), which are very detailed descriptions on how to design and draw different civil buildings and their individual parts (e.g. windows, doors, roofs etc.). For many of those exercises, the six orders play a big role. The emphasis lies strongly on how each of the six orders are to be executed and for every part of the building, there are different design specifications for the different orders.
The second part of the book is about military architecture. There are fifteen exercises in this part, each of them describes one kind of fort, its structure and how to properly design it. The book (according to the introduction) is supposed to be a guide for young students, but also masons, carpenters, gardeners and soldiers.
Dimensions:
The book appears to be a “Sextodecimo” with a page size of ca 170×110 mm and a thickness of 45 mm. It has 550 pages, and a register consisting of 10 pages. In addition, to book is illustrated with 51 copperplate engravings. The illustrations show details of pillars and the six orders, public buildings, forts, floor plans and so on.
