Trattenimenti letterari. Dedicati a' suoi amici.

TIBERI, Giuseppe, as Cloneso Licio.

Published by [Naples:] 1786

About this Item

First edition of this collection of Italian poems. Count Tiberi (1732-1812) was a bibliophile, archaeologist, and member of the Accademia dell'Arcadia. A literary institution founded in Rome in 1690, the Accademia promoted a revival of pastoral poetry and a return to the classical principles of clarity and simplicity, countering the excesses of the baroque era. Tiberi's collection of "literary entertainments" reflects Arcadian ideals, written in a flowing and plain style. The poems are often inspired by everyday events, objects, or acquaintances of the author. Light-hearted and playful examples include "La zanzara" ("the mosquito", described as "a damned nuisance"), "La cometa" ("the comet"), "La mostarda" ("mustard"), "La cioccolata" ("the hot chocolate"). Others are more serious in tone, including "Il cane" ("the dog"), dedicated to the death of a friend's pet, and "Il piano filosofico" ("the philosophical plan"), a reflection on various philosophical themes. A footnote to the latter, discussing a passage on death, references Beccaria's seminal treatise Dei delitti e delle pene (1764), advocating against the death penalty. The edition features two colour copper engravings: a light blue frontispiece depicting a pastoral scene and an oval portrait of the author printed in light brown. Although colour engravings date back to the 17th century, they are seldom encountered in poetry books of this period. Octavo (180 x 109 mm), pp. [xvi], 269, [3]. Copper-engraved symbol of the Accademia dell'Arcadia on title page, 2 similar engravings printed in colour. Contemporary marbled vellum, smooth spine tooled in gilt, green and brown morocco labels, edges yellow. Covers slightly bowed, turn-ins lifting slightly causing short closed tears on pastedowns, superficial split to front inner hinge (visible at title page), nick at foot of frontispiece, intermittent foxing and small marks. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 175349

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Trattenimenti letterari. Dedicati a' suoi amici.
• Publisher: [Naples:] 1786
• Edition: 1st Edition