A superb early 17th century plan of Fontainebleau

FRANCINI, Alessandro.

Portrait de la Maison Royale de Fontaine Belleau.
French, c.1614. Engraving, Sheet 560 x 470mm.

Trimmed within plate, as issued, a few small repairs.

An early example of a landscape gardening design, taking the form of a bird's-eye view of the royal palace of Fontainebleau, engraved by Michael Lasne after Alessandro Francini, with a 32-point key.
Alessandro (d. 1648) and his older brother Tommaso (1571-1651), from Florence, were hydraulic engineers who work transformed French formal gardens with fountains and water-driven automata. Alessandro's engravings were instrumental in publicising the new styles.


Stock ID : 16610