Vestigium templi Ludovisiani S. Ignatii almæ urbis.
Constitueram huic Libro finem imponere figurâ nonagesimasecunda; nihilominus ut satisfaciam precibus amicorum, cupientium addiscere modum reticulationis opticæ, quæ adhibetur in superficiebus irregularibus, ejusque memini figurâ octogesima octava, publici juris facere decrevi ejus construendæ methodum. Ipsiusmet retis ope delineavi non solùm ædificium mox repræsentandum, sed etiam figuras omnes testudinis templi Ludovisiani, in qua pingenda nunc occupor. Eademque reticulatione, quæ erit ultima figura hujus Libri, dabimus Operi nostro suum complementum; quum nulla sit superficies, in qua suas delineationes juxta Perspectivæ regulas, earum rerum Studiosi absolvere nequeant.
Exhibet hæc figura vestigium totius templi. Quamvis enim non indigeam nisi testudine inter januam maximam & tholum; proderit nihilominus Architecturæ Studiosis, universi Operis elegantiam ac symmetriam per otium contemplari.
The Ninety-third FIGURE.
The Geometrical Plan of the Church of S. Ignatius at Rome.
I had once determin’d to end this Book with the Ninety-second Figure; but at the Request of some Friends, who were desirous to learn the Making of Perspective Net-work for irregular Surfaces, as was hinted in the Eighty-eighth Figure; I resolv’d to publish the Manner of performing the same. By the Help of this Net-work, I delineated not only the Architecture now to be treated of; but also each Figure in the Vault of the Church of S. Ignatius, which I am at present employ’d in painting. The Method is laid down in the last Figure of this Book, and entirely completes the same; there being no Superficies, how irregular soever, but the Studious may thereon describe, by these Rules, whatever Perspective he has occasion for.
This Figure contains the Plan of the whole Church; for though my present Design requir’d no more than the Vault of the Nave, between the great Door and the Cupola; I thought it might be nevertheless acceptable to the Curious in Architecture, to have a View of the whole Design, so celebrated for the Elegancy and Proportion of its Parts.