GIRAULT DE PRANGEY Joseph Philibert Monuments Arabes et Moresques de Cordoue, Seville et Grenade, dessinés et mesurés en 1832 et 1833 [faux-titre]. Mosquée de Cordoue, vues générales, intérieurs, détails et plans dessinés et mesurés sur les lieux en 1833.

Palau, VI, 102630.

FIRST EDITION OF THIS IMPORTANT ACCOUNT OF THE ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE OF SOUTHERN SPAIN, BASED ON THE AUTHOR’S EXTENDED TOUR OF SPAIN HE HAD UNDERTAKEN IN 1832 AND 1833.

One of the finest view books produced at the time; Girault de Prangey used the most skilled artists to interpret his drawings in the lithographic stone. Includes views, architectural details, ornaments and plans; the figures in the foreground of the views add charm as well as recording costume and customs. The documentation of Prangey has an immense value because of the destruction and changes that have taken place on the Arab monuments in Spain. Part titles and the numbered plates are signed as drawn by Girault de Prangey (Granada 18, 26 as painted by him) but for Cordoba 1, after Asselineau, and Granada 27, after Bayot and Sabatier. The three parts are as follows: 1- Mosquée de Cordoue, vues générales intérieurs détaills et plans dessinés et mesurés surles lieux en 1833. II- La Giralda et L?Alcazar de Sévile. III- Souvenirs De Grenade et de L?Alhambra. After the publication of Murphy’s “The Arabian Antiquities of Spain” in 1816, this book is considered the first detailed study of the Arabian architecture in Al-Andalus. Girault de Prangey was at first interested in the Roman and Greek architecture, but later he concentrated on studying Arab arts. He travelled in 1832 to Granada, Cordoba and Seville and spent three years there after which he produced this monumental work.

A very good copy, complete with the 44 plates called for.