farfel_n11_056_682

682
B. Rosenthal
Berkeley, CA.
Feb. '09
$100.00

Ars moriendi - Italian 4^0 in 8's
Domenico Capramica (1400-1458) Italian Version.
Florence: [Filippo? Giunta] 1513
Ref: Harvard Univ., Brit. Lib., Florence, Biblioteca
Universitaria
12.5x18.5cm. Single column. 32 lines. Roman type
62 (a-b^8 c^6) 22 leaves.
34 cuts (12 grands and 22 petit)

The man is finally at the very moment of
death as a priest places a lighted candle in his hands and
a host of angels lift up his soul in the
form of a baby [inserted] ? the Virgin Mary and a saint [end inserted] and 2 saints stand on either side
of the Crucifixion and a defeated group of demons
shake their claws and hooves in dismay saying
there is no hope for them and that they are consumed
with funny and filled with confusion. (banderoles are filled
with MSS text) text bands)

The dying man is confronted by 5 diabolic temptations
false religion, despair, impatience, vainglory or
idleness and avarice as a burning candle is placed in
his hands under the protection of the crucified Christ
and the Virgin.

one of the great themes of medieval life
The Art of Dying.