Hypnerotomachia Poliphilii
Book
Dec. 1499 (printed)
Dec. 1499 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Imperfect. Composite, seems to have been put together from different copies. Lacks everything before c2, c3-c6, c8, d3, d6, e7, f1, f6, f8, h4, h5, h8-i2, i7-n2, n6, n8-o3, p1-8, r2, r3, r7, u3-u6, x2, x4, x6, x8, y3, z1, z4, z7-A1, A3-A6, A8, B2-B4, C1, C5, C7-D2, D4, D5, D8, E8, F1, F4.
Anomalies: h7 bound back to front, with recto on verso and vice versa, o6 bound between z6 and A2, t7 bound at the end of the volume, after f3; y7 bound at the end of the volume after t7, D7 bound between B1 and B5, C8 bound between D6 and E1.
Binding: 1985 plain red leather binding (made in-house by V&A Conservation).
Anomalies: h7 bound back to front, with recto on verso and vice versa, o6 bound between z6 and A2, t7 bound at the end of the volume, after f3; y7 bound at the end of the volume after t7, D7 bound between B1 and B5, C8 bound between D6 and E1.
Binding: 1985 plain red leather binding (made in-house by V&A Conservation).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Hypnerotomachia Poliphilii (published title) |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Book, Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, vbi hvmana omnia non nisi somnivm esse docet..., by Francesco Colonna, Venice: Aldus Manutius, Dec. 1499. |
| Physical description | Imperfect. Composite, seems to have been put together from different copies. Lacks everything before c2, c3-c6, c8, d3, d6, e7, f1, f6, f8, h4, h5, h8-i2, i7-n2, n6, n8-o3, p1-8, r2, r3, r7, u3-u6, x2, x4, x6, x8, y3, z1, z4, z7-A1, A3-A6, A8, B2-B4, C1, C5, C7-D2, D4, D5, D8, E8, F1, F4. Anomalies: h7 bound back to front, with recto on verso and vice versa, o6 bound between z6 and A2, t7 bound at the end of the volume, after f3; y7 bound at the end of the volume after t7, D7 bound between B1 and B5, C8 bound between D6 and E1. Binding: 1985 plain red leather binding (made in-house by V&A Conservation). |
| Gallery label | HYPNEROTOMACHIA POLIPHILII 1499
Text by Francisco Colonna (1433?-1527)
Widely regarded, then and now, as the most beautiful printed book of its time, this uses a combination of words and pictures to recount Poliphilo's search for his love, Polia. In Italian, but aimed at readers familiar with Ovid, Apuleius and other classical writers, the story gives atmospheric descriptions of ruins and monuments, sculptures and antiquities.
Italy, Venice
Ink on paper; woodcut illustrations after designs by an unknown artist (perhaps Benedetto Bordon)
Printed by Aldus Manutius
Museum no. 38041800485609
(24/03/2018) |
| Object history | Damaged added handwritten title-page preceding c2 with inscription: ‘Poliphilus – Hypn[…]/ First Edition./ Aldus – Venice. 1499./Imperfect.’ (18th century?) Annotations in brown ink, in Italian cursive hand (16th century?) on c2, c7, d1. Blue ink inscription C 16861 on g5 verso (20th century). |
| Other number | 87.G.27 - NAL Pressmark |
| Collection | |
| Library number | 38041800485609 |
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| Record created | December 19, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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