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FRANCESCO PETRARCA, 1304-1374
Triumphi
On paper
Central Italy, second half of the 15th century
MS 943, ff. 43v - 44r
The Triumphi, the extended series of poems depicting
the victorious succession of Love, Chastity, Death, Fame,
Time, and Eternity, end with Petrarch's contemplation
of his own eternal salvation and his profound desire to
see his beloved Laura again in heaven, “Or che fie
dunque a rivederla in cielo” (“Now how will
it be to see her again in heaven”). In MS 943, the
final line of the Triumphi is followed by the
Latin word “FINIS” ("The end”).
Uncharacteristically, and in contrast to Beinecke MS 438,
the Triumphi of MS 943 are modestly decorated,
written on paper, and bound with a copy of La Sfera
by Leonardo Dati. The first folio is missing from
the manuscript, and it is very likely that it held decoration
to open the Triumphi. If it had been a beautiful
illumination, this would not be the first time that an
illuminated codex has been mutilated to serve the fancy
of a collector to have a pretty picture irrespective of
its original source or purpose. More likely for this manuscript
is simply the loss of the outside leaves of a book that
probably did not have a proper cover at that time. |
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