Il Libro Del Cortegiano Del Conte Baldessar Castiglione, Nuovamente ristampato.

Baldassarre Castiglione

RA Collection: Book

Record number

05/3264

Author

Variant Title

Cortegiano

Imprint

Aldus [in device], In Venetia,: M. D. XLV.

Physical Description

[244] p.; 357 mm.

General Note

The pages are unnumbered; the collation-register, printed on the last page of text, reads: * a b c d e f g h i K l m n o p. Tutti sono quaderni fuor che *, che è duerno, & p, che è terno.

Contents

[T.p.(incl. printer's device), dedic.] - [Text; collation-register, colophon] - [Printer's device].

Responsibility Note

The colophon gives the name of the printer-publisher: 'In Vinegia, nell'anno M. D. XLV. nelle case de figlioli di Aldo.'

The work is dedicated by Castiglione to 'Michel De Sylva Vescovo Di Viseo'.

References

P. Burke, The fortunes of the Courtier (1995).

Catalogue of the Ahmanson-Murphy Aldine collection at U.C.L.A. (1991); G. Orlandi, Aldo Manuzio editore (2 v., 1975); University of Cambridge, Catalogue Of Books Printed On The Continent Of Europe, 1501-1600, ed. H.M. Adams (1967), v.I. C931.

Summary Note

Here Castiglione attempts to define the attributes and manners of an ideal courtier. His book was widely read, by artists among others. In Rome Castiglione was a friend of Raphael, who painted his portrait.

The only decoration is the device of printer-publisher Aldus Manutius (the name 'Aldus' flanking a dolphin and anchor), which is printed on the title page and the last page of the book.

Provenance

Purchased for RA Library in 1871 (see 'Library Report for the Year 1871', RA Annual Report, Appendix No. 7, p. 26).

Binding Note

16th-century calf, upper and lower covers having gilt-stamped ruled borders and central fleuron; rebacked in 19th-century, spine lettered 'Cortegiano - Castiglione', 'R.A.' and '1545'.

Subject

Courts and courtiers - Courtesy - Social anthropology - Customs - Italy - History - 16th century
Treatises - Manuals - Italy - 16th century

Contributors

Paolo Manuzio, printer, publisher, bookseller
Figlioli di Aldo, printer, publisher, bookseller