Boccaccio's Anthology of texts by Dante and Petrarch

Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–1375) was an important representative of early humanism and the founder of the prose narrative tradition in Europe
Between 1363 and 1366, he compiled this anthology from texts by his most important literary contemporaries
The manuscript contains works by Boccaccio himself as well as writings by Dante, Petrarch and Cavalcanti

Boccaccio's Anthology of texts by Dante and Petrarch

Ms Chig.L.V.176 Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, Vatican City State)

Description

Boccaccio's Anthology of texts by Dante and Petrarch

Boccaccio's Anthology of texts by Dante and Petrarch is one of the most important testimonies to the development of early Italian Renaissance literature. In the spirit of the emerging humanism, Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–1375) compiled and wrote this remarkable manuscript between 1363 and 1366, in which he included both his own works but mainly those of his fellow Italian authors, namely Dante Alighieri (c. 1265–1321), Francesco Petrarca (1304–1374), and Guido Cavalcanti (c. 1255–1300). In doing so, he laid an important foundation for the development of the canon of Italian literary classics still recognized today. Boccaccio's approach to the texts is also particularly fascinating, providing valuable insights into the contemporary interplay between primary literature, commentary, and reception. The Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana preserves the priceless autograph of this remarkable anthology under the signature Ms Chig.L.V.176.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Il Codice Chigiano L.V.176 Autografo di Giovanni Boccaccio
Boccaccios Dante- und Petrarca-Anthologie
Dante del Boccaccio
Chigi Anthology
Il Dante e Petrarca di Giovanni Boccaccio
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 174 pages / 26.7 × 18.4 cm
Origin: Italy
Date: 1363–1366
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Genre: Literature / Poetry
Language: Italian
Latin
Script: Gothic Textura
Illustrations: 1 decorated initial with foliate border, 1 bas-de-page-illumination, numerous fleuronnée initials
Content: Collection of texts compiled by Giovanni Boccaccio: Trattatello in Laude and Vita Nova by Dante; Canzoni and Rerum Vulgarium Fragmenta by Petrarch; Donna mi priega by Cavalcanti; Vita di Dante and Ytalie iam certus by Boccaccio
Artist / School: Giovanni Boccaccio (scribe and author)
Dante Alighieri (author)
Francesco Petrarca (author)
Guido Cavalcanti (author)
Previous Owners: Iacopo Corbinelli
Federigo Ubaldini
Fabio Chigi

Available facsimile editions:

Facsimile Editions

#1 Il Codice Chigiano L.V.176 Autografo di Giovanni Boccaccio

Archivi Edizioni – Rome, 1974

Publisher: Archivi Edizioni – Rome, 1974

Limited Edition: 625 copies

Commentary: 1 volume by Domenico de Robertis
Language: Italian

Both commentary and facsimile are contained in one volume.

1 volume: This facsimile is not complete. Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The pages are presented on a larger white background. The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.

Facsimile Copy Available!

Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

Inquire current price here or ask a different question

You might also be interested in:

Oxford Decameron

Ferrara (Italy) – Around 1467

Boccaccio's famous magnum opus for a high official at the wealthy Este court in Ferrara: a masterpiece of world literature in a magnificent, gold-decorated manuscript of the Italian Renaissance

Experience More

Petrarca: Trionfi - Florence Codex

Florence (Italy) – Mid 15th century

The triumphs of the good and beautiful in miniatures like Renaissance panel paintings: Petrarch's famous poetic opus magnum in a golden masterpiece of Quattrocento Italian illumination

Experience More

Petrarch's Poems

Italy – 1366–1374

Completed by Petrarch himself: 40 years of poetic work, inspired by a legendary love story and brought together in this unique anthology with an eventful history of ownership

Experience More

Divine Comedy - Strozzi 152 Manuscript

Florence (Italy) – Second quarter of the 14th century

Adorned with three elaborate incipit pages by Pacino di Buonaguida and 49 unfinished yet marvelous bas-de-page miniatures: one of the finest specimens of Dante Alighieri's virtuoso masterpiece

Experience More

Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca

Italy – Ca. 1300–1325

Petrarch's personal copy of Virgil from his private library: stolen shortly after its completion, rediscovered in 1338, and finally provided with the famous allegorical frontispiece by Simone Martini

Experience More

Divine Comedy - Add. 19587 Manuscript

Naples (Italy) – Ca. 1370

Dante's depictions of hell, purgatory and heaven in expressive miniatures and with subtle gold decoration: the Divine Comedy in an unfinished yet sumptuous codex with 58 elaborate bas-de-page illuminations

Experience More

Filter selection

Style

Genre

Origin

Language

Publisher

Show all available expressions

Boccaccio's Anthology of texts by Dante and Petrarch