BARBAULT (Jean). Les plus beaux monuments de Rome ancienne ou Recueil des plus beaux morceaux de l'Antiquité romaine qui existent encore. Rome, Bouchard et Gravier, 1761; folio (514 x 280 mm), coloured marbled calf, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fleurons, fillets on the covers (period binding). First edition illustrated with a vignette, 9 culs de lampe and 73 plates showing 128 views of ancient monuments, statues or reliefs, hors-texte or mid-page. Cohen, 112. A MAGNIFICENT WORK, lavishly illustrated by one of Piranese's collaborators, which recreates the atmosphere of Rome as it was discovered by the curious at the time of the Grand Tour: majestic ruins covered in moss or topped with vegetation, in unstable balance, scattered ancient reliefs, flocks and shepherds appropriating the remains of past splendour... everything evokes the passing of time with an already pre-romantic nostalgia. Painter and engraver, a pupil of Restout, Jean Barbault (1718-1762) arrived in Rome in 1747 and remained there until the end of his life. A VERY FINE COPY. Minor defects to the binding (corners, slight rubbing, unavoidable for a volume of this format).