Les Caprices Heroïques Du Loredano
Giovan Francesco Loredan — Les Caprices Héroïques du Loredano
First French Edition | Paris: Antoine Robinot, 1644 | Two Parts in One | Engraved Frontispiece
A scarce seventeenth-century French edition of the writings of Venetian author and intellectual Giovan Francesco Loredan (1607–1661), founder of the influential Accademia degli Incogniti. Published in Paris in 1644 by Antoine Robinot, Les Caprices Héroïques du Loredano represents the first French edition, translated from the Italian by François de Grenaille.
This copy is particularly notable for its remarkably fresh interior, complete two-part text, and striking full-page engraved frontispiece. Nearly four centuries after publication, the handmade rag-paper leaves remain unusually clean and supple, with strong impressions and remarkably little foxing or discoloration.
Giovan Francesco Loredan was one of the more intriguing figures of seventeenth-century Venetian literary culture. A nobleman, writer, politician, and intellectual, he is particularly remembered as a founder of the Accademia degli Incogniti, the celebrated Venetian academy whose members participated in the remarkably fertile literary, philosophical, and theatrical culture of seventeenth-century Venice.
The Capricci eroici belong to Loredan's characteristic world of historical and moral reflection, drawing upon exemplary figures and episodes from antiquity. The work reached French readers through the translation of François de Grenaille, a prolific French writer and translator associated with the literary culture surrounding the French court.
The present Paris edition appeared in 1644, during the childhood of Louis XIV and only one year after the beginning of his reign.
The volume retains its handsome full-page engraved frontispiece for the first part, titled:
Les Caprices Heroiqves — Première Partie
The engraving depicts the Roman statesman Sejanus in an elaborate classical setting populated with architectural structures, soldiers, spectators, horses, and a triumphal procession. The lower portion bears the engraved imprint:
A Paris, Chez Antoine Robinot en sa boutique sur le pont neuf. 1644.
The survival of this substantial engraved illustration considerably enhances the visual and bibliographical interest of the volume.
The book is preserved in an old half-calf binding with green paper-covered boards. The rounded spine is divided into gilt-ruled compartments ornamented with small gilt floral devices and retains an old blue-green leather title label.
The condition of the interior is a particular strength of this copy.
The seventeenth-century rag paper remains remarkably fresh and clean for a book printed in 1644, exhibiting very little foxing. Pages retain strong contrast, clear typography, and attractive impressions of the ornamental headpieces, decorated initials, and typographic ornaments.
There is expected occasional toning, handling, minor spotting, and other evidence of nearly four centuries of age, but the general preservation of the text leaves is notably superior to what is often encountered in books of this period.
Margins remain pleasing, and the characteristic texture of the handmade paper is readily visible.
An early handwritten ownership inscription appears within the volume, adding an additional element of provenance and historical character. No attribution of the inscription has been attempted.
