Remondini
Mondo de Savii -- Huomo attivo et contemplativo
[The World of Wise Men - Man In Action and In Contemplation]
Bassano, Rome: Late 17th Century
Hand-colored engraving
9.5 x 6.5 inches
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Mondo de Savii
Italian Allegorical Engraving, Late 17th C.
Italian Allegorical Engraving, Late 17th C.
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The "world of wise men" is depicted in a series of vignettes and sayings within an oval surrounding a central male figure, rendered on the backdrop of a town square or avenue. At the top are the traditional allegorical figures of the Seven Virtues. Below them is a man in prayer, a man bowing to a woman, and a man with a large measuring device accompanied by the proverb, "Happy is the man who measures his every step." Justice and healing are featured in the lower two vignettes. In the four corners outside the oval are depicted vignettes presumably excluded from the world of the wise, including alchemy, sorcery and overindulgence in wine. There are eight lines of poetry below the image asserting that the wise man is one who realizes that the greatest rewards in life come to those who practice the virtues of prudence, charity, faith and hope, and that such a life confers on him a reputation that lives on forever.
Questa de saviui o la felice stanza
In cui d'ogni virtu bellezza splendo.
La prudenza nell'opro e la creanza
Nel conorsar, che maggior gratia rendo.
La carita, la fede, la speranza,
L'[?] la purifica o l'[?].
E por virtu tal hor vivo infinita
La fama almen benche mortal la vita.
[This room of the wise or happy
In which every beautiful virtue shines.
Prudent in work and conduct
Knowing that greater rewards are rendered.
Charity, faith, hope,
[?], purification or [?]
And for virtue such [?] infinite life
Renown at least, however mortal the life.]
(Approximate translation by Helen Glazer)
The Remondini family were Italian printers active from the 17th through 19th Centuries. Giovanni Antonio Remondini (1634-1711?) was the pre-eminent printer in Bassano, Italy, in his day. The British Library catalog of 17th Century Italian imprints lists some 35 editions printed by Remondini between the years 1669 and 1700.
References:
Ferris, David. "Re: Bassano & Giovanni Antonio Remondini." 10 Feb. 1992. Rare Books and Special Collections Forum. <EXLIBRIS@RUTVM1.BITNET> (11 April 2002).
Raine, Henry. "Re: Giovanni Antonio Remondini." 10 Feb 1992. Rare Books and Special Collections Forum. <EXLIBRIS@RUTVM1.BITNET> (11 April 2002).