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VIOLLET-LE-DUC, Eugene-Emmanuel : ENTRETIENS L'ARCHI84607

VIOLLET-LE-DUC, [Eugene-Emmanuel]. ENTRETIENS L'ARCHITECTURE. Paris: A. Morel et Cie. Editeurs, 1863 (& 1862). Two large octavo volumes in paper wrappers, plus a portfolio of prints. It is offered as is due to faint, but persistent, dampstaining throughout the bottom third of the text volumes and plates. 35 engraved and 3 lithographic plates, one of which is in full color, in a cloth backed portfolio, but lacking the ties. 8 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (37 x 29 cm.) Wrappers are soiled and chipped. Vol. 1 has light foxing throughout. Vol. 2 is lacking most of the spine and the lower wrapper; it is chipped at the bottom-edge of the front wrapper, half title, and t.p.; and the bookblock is split in several places. A readable copy, yet offered with all faults. Viollet-le-Duc (1814-79) was the leading restorer of medieval monuments in France in his day, though many of his restorations have been questioned and criticized, and he also designed several buildings of his own. However, it was his writing on educational reforms and architectural criticism wherein he exerted his greatest influence, not only over his contmporaries, but even over later generations of architects. Promoting the use of iron as a structural framework was forward looking at the time, and his statement that "any form without an explicable purpose cannot be beautiful" still sounds quite modern. (McGraw-Hill Dict. of Art, vol. 5; Phaidon Ency. of Art & Artists).