The subject of this book is the decoration and placement of palaces and their gardens. This book gives a very detailed description of the many ways one could shape such a residence and its environment. The two volumes cover a great spectrum of content, from the different kinds of bedrooms over to how facades can be shaped to the many different fountains and ways they could be built, everything’s covered. Blondel’s work also covers many instructions and plans on how to construct the topics mentioned in his book.
Francois-Blondel’s work consists of two volumes. Volume one has 5 sections, that are each subdivided in chapters and subchapters. Volume two, which deals with the design and decoration of gardens and fountains, has two sections which are also subdivided into chapters and subchapters.
The size of the book is in accordance with the size “Super Octavo” which means 178 mm by 279 mm and it was 27 mm wide. The books that were available were rather new prints though, so it may be possible that the original, first published book has different dimensions.
Volume one of this work consists of 198 pages, that contain 47 images. Volume two has 180 pages and 103 images.
