Vitruvius without Text by André Tavares – The Biography of a Book & Architectural History

Vitruvius without Text by André Tavares explores the fascinating history behind the printed editions of Vitruvius’s seminal architectural work De architectura, originally written in the 1st century BCE. Rather than focusing on detailed interpretations of the text itself, this book traces the physical and cultural journey of Vitruvius’s printed editions across Europe from 1486 onward.

Over 276 pages with 61 illustrations, Tavares investigates how the printed medium shaped Vitruvius’s status as a foundational authority in architectural theory. This study highlights the intricate relationship between book history and architectural evolution, revealing the dynamic interplay between the tangible printed book and the conceptual built environment.

This work is essential for scholars and enthusiasts of architecture, history of the book, Renaissance studies, and the cultural transmission of ideas.

• Language: English

• Format: Softcover

• Size: 11.5 x 17 cm

• Pages: 276

• ISBN: 978-3-85676-422-7