Inscribed on inside cover in pen and brown ink in two different hands. One reads: "ANIBALE FONTANA BONONIEN: si [si superscript] / CIVIS BON: FACIEBAT". An earlier inscription legible only with the help of ultraviolet light underneath that of Fontana reads: "DO MINICVS HA [A superscript] ...S · B ...NONIEN / CIVUS.RO.FACIEBAT / M.D.XIII".
Variously inscribed in pen and brown ink.
Rudolf Wittkower, "The 'Menicantonio' Sketchbook in the Paul Mellon Collection," Idea and Image, London, 1978, p. 90-107.
Ryskamp, Charles, ed. Nineteenth Report to the Fellows of the Pierpont Morgan Library, 1978-1980. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1981, p. 27-28.
Watermark: page 10. Anchor within a circle surmounted by a six-pointed star (Briquet 480, 487). Watermark, beta radiograph. Anchor in circle, star. 144201wm1_1978_44_p10_MellonCodex_WM_beta.tif
Watermark: page 28. Anchor within a circle surmounted by a six-pointed star (Briquet 480, 487). Watermark, beta radiograph. Anchor in circle, star. 144201wm2_1978_44_p28_MellonCodex_WM_beta.tif
Watermark: page 57 (conjugate to page 60). Anchor within a circle surmounted by a seven-pointed star (Briquet 480, 487). Watermark, beta radiograph. Anchor in circle, star. 144201wm3_1978_44_p57_MellonCodex_WM_beta.tif
Watermark: page 60 (conjugate to page 57). Anchor within a circle surmounted by a seven-pointed star (Briquet 480, 487). Watermark, beta radiograph. Anchor in circle, star. 144201wm4_1978_44_p60_MellonCodex_WM_beta.tif
Watermark: page 69 (conjugate to page 74). Anchor within a circle surmounted by a seven-pointed star (Briquet 480, 487). Watermark, beta radiograph. Anchor in circle, star. 144201wm5_1978_44_p69_MellonCodex_WM_beta.tif
Watermark: page 74 (conjugate to page 69). Anchor within a circle surmounted by a seven-pointed star (Briquet 480, 487). Watermark, beta radiograph. Anchor in circle, star. 144201wm6_1978_44_p74_MellonCodex_WM_beta.tif
Watermark: page 85, later addition to the sketchbook. Small shield. Watermark, beta radiograph. Shield. 144201wm7_1978_44_p85_MellonCodex_WM_beta.tif
Dated Rome, 1513.
81 folios (counting the last endpaper numbered 101), 25 blank pages, 6 loose folios.
Watermark: Anchor in circle surmounted by star, two variants.
Six sketches in graphite added by a later hand.
Fontana once must have had the sketchbook in his possession. Acquired as Menicantonio.
The sketchbook, which includes interior and exterior views, elevations, and ground plans of Roman buildings as well as a variety of decorative details, is of great importance as an example of an architect's model book of the early sixteenth century. It is especially interesting because of its connection with Bramante and his designs for St. Peter's. It also records many contemporary and antique Roman structures: the Palazzo dei Tribunali and its church of S. Biagio della Pagnotta, both planned by Bramante for Pope Julius II; the interior of the Pantheon; and the elevation and cross setion of the Colosseum.
Formerly attributed to Domenico Aimo, called il Varignana, d. 1539.
Kraus, Hans Peter, 1907-1988, former owner.
Mellon, Paul, former owner.
Aimo, Domenico, -1539, Formerly attributed to.