Folio. 4 pp., 9 lithographic plates by Asselineau, 1 engraved plan, period black morocco binding, with gilt title on front, published by A. F. Lemaître (Graveur Éditeur), Typographie de Firmin Didot Frères, Paris, 1853.

Synopsis

Rare set of views of the Alhambra palace and a further testimony to the European recognition of the vital artistic heritage left by the Arabs in Spain and the criminal neglect of its most important architectural monument.
“It is from the eighteenth century, the era in which the governments of France, as well as those of Spain, should have to reproach themselves for their most culpable negligence with the regard to the conservation of their monuments, and, from 1789, the greatest devastation and destruction that this admirable building, at the same time the greatest glory and the greatest treasure, ever suffered. We visited the Alhambra twice and in the space of twenty years, important and valuable sections of the complex had disappeared.” (Translation from French, p.1).
Baron de Isidore Séverin Taylor (1785-1879), a French man of British origin was a painter, critic and worked in theatre. He travelled with several French missions to Portugal, Spain, Egypt and Syria, and published books about his travels. In the 1820s Baron Taylor travelled extensively in Spain, continuing on to Tangiers and Tetuan, the purpose of the journey was to acquire works of art for the King of France, Louis Philippe I. In 1820 he published a book of views recording his journey. His major work is “Inventaire Archéologique” comprising fifty volumes in which he recorded the major French monuments before the Renaissance.
The 10 views of the Alhambra are finely drawn with lithographs by Asselineau in black with a single tint stone; each includes figures in the foreground. The plates are as follows:
I- L’Alhambra / Porte de la justice. 32.2 x 25.7 cms.
II- L’Alhambra / Cour de l’Alberca. 31.7 x 25.2 cms.
III- L’Alhambra / Cour de lion. 34.5 x 25.5 cms.
IV- L’Alhambra / Galerie de la cour des lions. 29.2 x 24.8 cms.
V- L’Alhambra / Salle de Abencerage. 35.3 x 24.9 cms.
VI- L’Alhambra / Salle du tribunal. 23.9 x 29.7 cms.
VII- L’Alhambra / Salle des deux soeurs. 32.5 x 25.8 cms.
VIII- L’Alhambra / Cabinet des infantes salle des deux soeurs. 35.8 x 26.6 cms.
IX- L’Alhambra / Cour de la mosquées. 31.1 x 23.9 cms.
X- L’Alhambra / Façade de la chapelle. 33.1 x 23.9 cms.
XI- Plan de L’Alhambra. Copper engraving: 26.9 x 41.4 cms. Lemaître sculp. Imp. F. Chardon Aime. Key: 1-18. scale: 130 mm= 30 meters.
Bibliographic references: Palau 328 471; Creswell 360 ( who does not record the plan); Not in Foulche-Delbosc or Farinelli. cf. Tesoros de Espana 121.