ENEAS SILVIO PICCOLOMINI (PÍO II) - HISTORIA DE DUOBUS AMANTIBUS - 1504

Subject: Early 16th century antique book. Post-Incunabulum. Erotica. Humanism. Epistolary novel - Eneas Silvio Piccolomini.

Publication: Venice, Baptistam Sessa, 1504.

Description: 4º minor. 16 leaves (including the cover with woodcut) printed in two columns. Binding in brown leather from the 18th century, spine with gold threads, both covers with gold edging and also gold decorations in the corners. Capital letters engraved on wood.

Conservation: Good condition. Completely revised.

Notes: Rare post-incunabulum printing of this small and famous romance, written in 1444 by Pope Pius II in his years before his papal proclamation, which tells the story of two lovers. This story, called "quintessential of classical aristocratic humanist poetics," is set in Siena and revolves around the love story between Lucrezia, a married woman, and Eurialo, one of the men serving the Duke of Austria. After an uncertain beginning, in which each of the two is in love, but at the same time unaware that their love is reciprocated, Lucrezia and Eurialo begin a correspondence, which takes up most of the rest of the novel. Before writing his first love letter, Eurialo quotes Virgil in defense of his position: "Amor vincit omnia et nos ceda amormusi".

Biography of the author: Aeneas Silvio Piccolomini, later known as Pius II (Corsignano, 1405-Ancona, 1464), Pope of the Catholic Church from 1458 until his death, was one of the most notable humanists of his time and protected the arts and letters, and left several works in Latin: several historical chronicles, an autobiography, in the same style as the previous ones, and abundant correspondence. The work offered, a product of youth, has a certain erotic content. And, among all his works, it is the most successful, with more than 35 editions before the year 1500, and more than 100 handwritten copies. Later, as Pope, he was ashamed or retracted this youthful work, going so far as to write in a letter: "And do not give more importance to the layman than to the pontiff: reject Aeneas, welcome Pius."

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