CASTIGLIONE, Baldassarre.

by Baldassarre Castiglione

£2,950 · Offered by Sokol Books

Providing a correct text revised from the original manuscripts, and including three final indexes for the first time, this is the most complete and refined edition of Il libro del Cortegiano by the Aldine press. Baldassarre Castiglione (1478-1529) studied literae humaniores in Milan and served the Sforza and Gonzaga before moving to the court of the Duke of Urbino. Il Cortegiano , his masterpiece, is structured as a series of conversations that allegedly took place there, in one of the most elegant courts of Italy, over four nights in 1507, when Castiglione was a member of the Duke's Court. The philosophical dialogues are concerned with describing what constitutes the ideal courtier and in the third book the ideal court lady, worthy to befriend and advise a Prince or political leader. Nobility, wit, honesty, temperance and magnanimity are among the virtues that the perfect courtier should have, but he should also be well educated in Latin and Greek, skilled in dancing, fencing, painting and playing music. Above all qualities, however, Castiglione stresses the importance of oratory and clarity of speech: taking inspiration from Cicero and Quintilian, the perfect courtier should adapt his speech to the audience, be proficient in foreign languages such as French and Spanish, and be able to impress with his culture and sense of humour. Finally, the courtier should apply sprezzatura to everything he does, that is a certain nonchalance or ability to present what is done and said as

• Binding: Hardcover

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