John Shute’s book is the first treatise on architecture in English. It also has the earliest architectural intaglio prints published in Britain. Following Vitruvius, Serlio and Philander it describes the classical orders of architecture, together with the requirements for the 'perfecte architecte'.
Little is known about Shute, a 'painter and archytecte'. His patron, John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, sent him to Italy in 1550 to study the works of 'ye skilful maisters in architecture'. He returned with sketches that were shown to Edward VI. Tudor politics intervened and his works were not published until 1563.
Our book is one of fewer than 10 surviving copies.
Image: Page from 'The first and chief groundes of architecture' by John Shute, 1563, showing the Composite order; image from RIBApix (number RIBA69900)
Artist: John Shute (d. 1563)
Credit: RIBA Collections
Article by Cathy Wilson, RIBA
5 January 2015
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Book
Shute, J., 1563
'The first and chief groundes of architectvre: used in all the auncient and famous monymentes: with a farther & more ample discouse [sic] uppon the same, than hitherto hath been set out by any other' London: Thomas Marshe
Shelved at E.f.526 [EARLY-IMPS] -
Book
Weaver, L., 1912
'The first & chief groundes of architecture by John Shute... first printed in 1563 ; a facsimile of the first edition'
London: Country Life
Shelved at 72:013(42) // SHU [SR] -
Book
Savage, N., et al., 1994-2003
'Early printed books 1478-1840 : catalogue of the British Architectural Library Early Imprints Collection'
London, Bowker-Saur
Shelved at 017 [Reference]
