PIAZZETTA. Studi di pittura già disegnati da Giambattista... Lot 26

PIAZZETTA. Studi di pittura già disegnati da Giambattista Piazzetta. Oblong folio, Contemporary quarter leather binding and marbled boards; gilt titles and ornaments on the spine. Pictorial frontispiece at full page, title page in red and black with vignette, 2 leaves of dedication to Carlo Conte Signore de Firmian ;1 leaf of preface, 3 leaves of memory on Piazzetta with portrait, 1 leaf with subscriber's list; 12 text leaves and 48 beautiful plates. Fine and fresh specimen. Extremely rare first edition, first issue published in only 107 copies intended for subscribers on immaculate strong paper. The splendid tables are engraved with a line and a burin by Francesco Bortolozzi and Marco Pitteri. the text is adorned with a large beautiful headboard, historiated initials, an endpiece is the self-portrait of Piazzetta, the only engraving ever performed by the artist, signed and dated 1738.