Savonarola, Girolamo Maria Francesco. O.P.

Tractato…in defensione & co[m]mendatione delloratione mentale.

[Florence, Lorenzo Morgiani ?and Johannes Petri between 27 July 1495 and 31 October 1496].

4to (198 x 125 mm.). Roman type, TWO WOODCUTS ON THE FIRST RECTO — a half-page cut of a couple in prayer before an altar (85 x 109 mm.) and a white-line half-figure image of St. Matthew (36 x 33 mm.).

Blind-ruled crushed brown morocco, gilt-lettered spine.

Second Illustrated Edition and the first appearance of the fine text-specific cut of the praying couple. Decrying polyphony, organ music and the rote oral recitation of standard prayers, Savonarola urges silent devotion and meditation to bring “oneself into proximity with Him, then into His very presence, and ultimately to union with Him” (Weinstein). The St. Matthew woodcut dates the edition. In good condition (scattered spots).
¶Weinstein, “A Man for All Seasons: G. Savonarola, the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation” in La Figura de Jerónimo Savonarola…y su influencia en…Europa edd. Weinstein et al. 3-21; Scapecchi, Catalogo delle edizioni di…Savonarola 246; Caravale, Forbidden Prayer…in Renaissance Italy 5-10; Kristeller, Early Florentine Woodcuts 383b; ISTC is00234000; Goff S-234.

Item #11777

Price: $14,500.00