SAVONAROLA, Girolamo (1452-1498). Predica dell'arte del bene morire . [Florence: Bartolommeo di Libri, after 2 November 1496].
SAVONAROLA, Girolamo (1452-1498). Predica dell'arte del bene morire . [Florence: Bartolommeo di Libri, after 2 November 1496]. 4 o (202 x 135 mm). Collation: a 8 b 6 c 4 . 18 leaves, roman letter. Large woodcuts of Triumph of Death within decorative border on title-page, Heaven & Hell on a6v, and two deathbed scenes of the ars moriendi on b4 recto and b6 recto, respectively (both shaved slightly, and the former rubbed thin in one area). Modern tan morocco gilt. Provenance : Earl of Ilchester (Sotheby's 11 June 1963, lot 56)-- C.A. Chiesa -- Edmée Maus (bookplate) -- Acquired from Librairie Paul Jammes. AN EXTREMELY RARE ILLUSTRATED EDITION ON THE ART OF DYING WELL by the Dominican reformer, whose philosophy and rhetoric challenged Medici Florence in the 1490s. The text is a sermon delivered by Savonarola in Florence on All Souls Day, November 2nd, 1496. It was transcribed and edited by his loyal follower Lorenzo Violi, and was published soon after by Bartolommeo di Libri. Libri published two undated editions circa 1497, which have the same woodcuts, and although priority is not certain Sander lists this edition first. The fine woodcuts make their first appearance in these two editions, although the title-border was first used by Libri in his 1495 edition of Passavanti's Specchio di vera penitentia (Sander 5460). Savonarola's tracts are an extremely important source for the study of Florentine woodcuts of the early Renaissance. Sander lists over 130 separate editions illustrated with at least one woodcut. The title woodcut in this work depicts the Triumph of Death, and dramatically shows Death flying through the air scythe in hand, above the prostrate figures of a pope, a king, a woman and a young man. The other illustrations include Death displaying a vision of Heaven and Hell before a young man, and two interiors of sick rooms, the first with Death at the door, and the other a death-bed scene with a friar at the sick man's side and Death seated at the foot of the bed with a vision of the Madonna and Child above. Although the names of the artist(s) responsible for the illustrations is not known, Kristeller notes two distinct styles: "In studying the Florentine engravings we notice on the one part a conciseness of composition, dramatic vivacity and energy of movement, or an expression of exalted sentiment characteristic of Botticelli and his school. On the other side we have quiet story-telling and detailed compositions accompanied by great freedom of design, as represented by Ghirlandaio and his followers" (Kristeller, Early Florentine Woodcuts ). BMC VI, 662; Goff S-250; HC 14390; HC 14391; Kristeller 375b; Proctor 6206; Sander 6813; Goff S-250.
SAVONAROLA, Girolamo (1452-1498). Predica dell'arte del bene morire . [Florence: Bartolommeo di Libri, after 2 November 1496].
SAVONAROLA, Girolamo (1452-1498). Predica dell'arte del bene morire . [Florence: Bartolommeo di Libri, after 2 November 1496]. 4 o (202 x 135 mm). Collation: a 8 b 6 c 4 . 18 leaves, roman letter. Large woodcuts of Triumph of Death within decorative border on title-page, Heaven & Hell on a6v, and two deathbed scenes of the ars moriendi on b4 recto and b6 recto, respectively (both shaved slightly, and the former rubbed thin in one area). Modern tan morocco gilt. Provenance : Earl of Ilchester (Sotheby's 11 June 1963, lot 56)-- C.A. Chiesa -- Edmée Maus (bookplate) -- Acquired from Librairie Paul Jammes. AN EXTREMELY RARE ILLUSTRATED EDITION ON THE ART OF DYING WELL by the Dominican reformer, whose philosophy and rhetoric challenged Medici Florence in the 1490s. The text is a sermon delivered by Savonarola in Florence on All Souls Day, November 2nd, 1496. It was transcribed and edited by his loyal follower Lorenzo Violi, and was published soon after by Bartolommeo di Libri. Libri published two undated editions circa 1497, which have the same woodcuts, and although priority is not certain Sander lists this edition first. The fine woodcuts make their first appearance in these two editions, although the title-border was first used by Libri in his 1495 edition of Passavanti's Specchio di vera penitentia (Sander 5460). Savonarola's tracts are an extremely important source for the study of Florentine woodcuts of the early Renaissance. Sander lists over 130 separate editions illustrated with at least one woodcut. The title woodcut in this work depicts the Triumph of Death, and dramatically shows Death flying through the air scythe in hand, above the prostrate figures of a pope, a king, a woman and a young man. The other illustrations include Death displaying a vision of Heaven and Hell before a young man, and two interiors of sick rooms, the first with Death at the door, and the other a death-bed scene with a friar at the sick man's side and Death seated at the foot of the bed with a vision of the Madonna and Child above. Although the names of the artist(s) responsible for the illustrations is not known, Kristeller notes two distinct styles: "In studying the Florentine engravings we notice on the one part a conciseness of composition, dramatic vivacity and energy of movement, or an expression of exalted sentiment characteristic of Botticelli and his school. On the other side we have quiet story-telling and detailed compositions accompanied by great freedom of design, as represented by Ghirlandaio and his followers" (Kristeller, Early Florentine Woodcuts ). BMC VI, 662; Goff S-250; HC 14390; HC 14391; Kristeller 375b; Proctor 6206; Sander 6813; Goff S-250.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
