Vision Deleytable de la Philosofia et de las otras Sciencias

Alfonso de la Torre (d. ca. 1460) was a Castilian educated in theology and the liberal arts at the University of Salamanca
He authored an essay ca. 1440 at the behest of the Prior of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Juan de Beamonte
The 1489 print at hand originated in the Toulouse printing house of Juan Parix and Enrique Clebat

Vision Deleytable de la Philosofia et de las otras Sciencias

Inc. 1817 Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)

Description

Vision Deleytable de la Philosofia et de las otras Sciencias

During the Renaissance, moral philosophy and natural philosophy (science) were still closely connected as Humanist scholars sought a unifying, singular principle of knowledge and even truth. Although it might be strange to find treatises on virtues and metaphysics side-by-side in a modern book, it was perfectly normal in a medieval codex like the one at hand. This popular Spanish text later appeared in numerous translations.

Vision Deleytable de la Philosofia et de las otras Sciencias

Alfonso de la Torre (d. ca. 1460) was a Castilian author educated in theology and the liberal arts at the University of Salamanca. He was likely descended from a Converso family, i.e. converted Jews, as were many 15th century Spanish academics, owing to the scholarly strength of the Rabbinical tradition. He authored an essay ca. 1440 at the behest of the Prior of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Juan de Beamonte. The work is divided into two parts, each of which is accompanied by 22 engravings in the 1489 print at hand, which originated in the Toulouse printing house of Juan Parix and Enrique Clebat. It is an incunabulum, a rare book printed before 1501. The former addresses the subjects of metaphysics and nature, while the latter is concerned with moral philosophy, virtues, and passions. The text is printed in Gothic script and has been praised for its wise insights. Numerous editions arose in the years to follow, speaking to the popularity of Torre’s work.

Codicology

Type: Printed book on paper
Size / Format: 212 pages / 27.7 × 19.0 cm
Origin: France
Date: 1489
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Early Prints
Genre: Treatises / Secular Books
Language: Spanish
Illustrations: 22 xylographic illustrations, xylographic initials
Content: Philosophical treatise
Artist / School: Alfonso de la Torre (Verfasser)
Juan Parix (Drucker)
Esteban Clebat (Drucker)

Available facsimile editions:

Facsimile Editions

#1 Vision Deleytable de la Philosofia et de las otras Sciencias

Vicent Garcia Editores – Valencia, 1996

Publisher: Vicent Garcia Editores – Valencia, 1996

Limited Edition: 3160 copies

Binding: Parchment binding on wooden board; presented in a cloth-lined case with gold engraved leather spine

Commentary: 1 volume by Isabel Ruiz de Elvira
Language: Spanish

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