Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, December 1499
Title: Hypnerotomachia Poliphili
Author: Francesco Colonna (Italian, ca. 1453–1517)
Publisher: Aldo Manuzio (Italian, 1449/50–1515)
Designer: Design of woodcuts attributed to Benedetto Bordone (Italian, Padua ca. 1455/60–1530 Padua, active mainly Venice from 1488)
Binder: Copy of so-called Canevari binding
Published in: Venice
Date: December 1499
Medium: Printed book with woodcut illustrations
Dimensions: 11 5/8 × 8 11/16 × 1 9/16 in. (29.5 × 22 × 4 cm)
Represents: “tale of love and antiquarianism and a prime document of the Renaissance rediscovery of classical antiquity
produced by the important Venetian publisher Aldus Manutius (ca. 1450–1515). A specialist in the publication of Greek texts, Aldus was also famous for developing new formats, such as the small, handheld book, and new typefaces, such as the italic
The typeface used in the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, based on ancient Roman inscriptions, was created by Aldus’ type designer Francesco Griffo of Bologna especially for this book, which has long been admired for its harmonious marriage of text and image. The spare and elegant illustrations reveal a careful study of ancient art as well as an interest in the new science of one-point linear perspective.”
signature d8 verso and e1 recto (Text; Satyr with Sleeping Nymph)
signature k5 verso and k6 recto (First Triumph, right and left sides)
signature y3 verso and y4 recto (Nymphs and satyrs; amphitheater)
signature b2 verso and b3 recto (Polia’s dream: Cupid in chariot; Cupid with sword)
Verso of page “f”
signature C7 verso
Leaf m vi recto
signature B3 recto (Polia’s Dream: Cupid with sword)
signature b1 verso and b2 recto (Marvelous temple; text)