For our first entry, we would like to present a rare and interesting 18th century item from the Library of the HMA MPDC Monument Protection Documentation Center to our readers and researchers. This piece may be of interest to those involved in historic preservation, architectural history or art history.
Die moderne Bau-Kunst : mit Vorstellung accurater Modellen vortrefflicher Dach-Werken, hohen Helmer, frantzösisch- und holländischer Creutz-Dächer, auch Wiederkehrung; ingleichen herrlicher Palläste, schöner Kirchen, Bibliotheken und Thürme, auch bequemer Rath- und Wohn-Häuser; wie auch verschiedener Arten Brücken, Schleusen, Dämme, Wasser- und Hand-Mühlen, Pressen, Windel-Stiegen oder Treppen und anderer vortheilhaften Maschinen : welchen angehängt sind, einige geometrische Exempel / alles nach den besten Regeln der geschicktesten Baumeister herausgegeben von Johann Vogel . – Neue verbesserte Auflage. – Hamburg : Herold, 1789 . – [20] p., [1] t.fol., LVII t. : ill. ; 37 cm
This book on modern architecture by Johann Vogel, a master builder from Ulm, was first published by Benjamin Schiller in Hamburg in 1708 with 36 copperplate engraving illustrations. The expanded 1789 printing of this richly illustrated book can be found in our library. From the foreword, we can learn that this work by Johann Vogel was very popular amongst students of architecture, and since the first printing had quickly sold out, it was reissued due to the great interest. The author raises problems and questions, to which he gives succinct answers and calculations, as well as providing detailed pattern designs, draft plans and pictures. The beautiful engraved illustrations impressively reflect the architecture of the early 18th century.
Andrea Papp
