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1 of 253523 objects
Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-75)
De claris mulieribus 1473
28.5 x 2.5 x 20.5 cm (book measurement (conservation)) | RCIN 1057852
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Boccaccio's De Claris mulieribus (On famous women) was first written 1361-62, and is the first example of collected biographies of women in Western literature. It was one of the most popular manuscript titles available at the time. This is a copy of the first printed latin edition.
The image here shows the celebrated affair indulged in by Venus, goddess of Love, with Mars, god of War. Her husband, Vulcan, after a tip-off from Mercury exposes them (right) to the derision of other gods. Her son, Cupid, in some sources the offspring of this liaison, marches ahead of her (left).Provenance
Presented to King George III by Jacob Bryant, October 1782
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Creator(s)
(printer)Acquirer(s)
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Measurements
28.5 x 2.5 x 20.5 cm (book measurement (conservation))
28.5 x 2.5 cm (book measurement (inventory))
28.5 cm (Height) x 2.5 cm (Depth) (book measurement (conservation))
Other number(s)
ISTC : Incunabula Short Title Catalogue – ISTC ib00716000Alternative title(s)
De claris mulieribus / Giovanni Boccaccio.
Full red (grained goat skin) leather binding, sewn on 5 cords with double worked headbands in pink, cream and green at head and tail, gilt edges.
This is a re-bind from George III reign. It might have been done by the King's own bindery.Place of Production
Ulm [Germany]
Featured in
ExhibitionTreasures from the Royal Collection: ‘Mythology’ and ‘Regency’: The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Explores classical mythology and the collecting of the Prince Regent
