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, 102629.

First edition of this important publication on Arabian antiquities in Spain, collected by Girault de Prangey (1804–1892).

“Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey was born in Langres in Haute-Marne on 20 October 1804 into a wealthy family of the local aristocracy. He remained an only child after the early death of his brothers and sisters. He turned to artistic training, studying drawing in Langres with his contemporary, the painter Jules Ziegler. He then continued his studies in Paris, where he received lessons from François Edme Ricois and Jules Coignet. His interest in archaeology and ancient monuments was already evident. In 1831, Girault de Prangey embarked on the first of his many journeys, following in the footsteps of Coignet. This journey kept him busy from 1831 to 1834: his family’s fortune allowed him to devote himself to drawing and archaeology. He began, as was customary, in Italy, and also visited Algeria, Spain, Sicily and finally Switzerland. He produced numerous drawings of monuments and landscapes. He spent a particularly long time visiting Andalusia and Sicily. On his return to Langres, his interest in archaeology remained undiminished: he was one of the founding members of the Langres Archaeological Society in 1836. He decided to publish his drawings made in Cordoba, Seville and Granada in the form of a collection of lithographs. The first part of Arab and Moorish Monuments of Cordoba, Seville and Granada, drawn and measured in 1832 and 1832, was published in 1836.

The publication of the three volumes continued until 1839: they were Mosque of Cordoba (volume I), La Giralda and the Alcazar of Seville (volume II) and Memories of Granada and the Alhambra (volume 3).

During this trip, Girault de Prangey was particularly interested in the Arabic architecture of Spain and Sicily” (Sylvie Aubenas, The rediscovery of a pioneer: Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey (1804-1892), in: Cairo drawn and photographed in the 19th century, Publications de l’Institut national de l’histoire de l’art, 2013).

Very good copy, complete with all 44 plates of this impressive serial publication on the Arabian antiquities of Spain.