Echoes of Italy: A Renaissance Fest at the National Library of Mexico
Ah, the National Library of Mexico—a treasure trove of literary relics that could give the Louvre a run for its money! For those of you who fancy a good read or a fantastic excuse to dodge that gym session, you’re in luck. An exhibition titled Echoes of Italy. Italian Renaissance Book is running until January 13, 2025! Yes, you heard that right—ample time to squeeze in several visits. Or five, if you still have that pesky New Year’s resolution to hit the books!
Now, hold onto your cover pages while we dive into the juicy bits, shall we? The exhibition showcases a fabulous array of Italian books from Italy’s glory days—most arriving neatly wrapped and ready to impress during the viceregal period or the 19th century. Behold the wisdom of Boccaccio, whose esteemed treatise on the lives of women didn’t quite make it onto the Holy Inquisition’s Christmas list because of its…controversial content featuring none other than the infamous papisa Juana. Yes, you read that right; a female pope. It’s like the plot of a Netflix series waiting to happen!
César Manrique, who co-curated this marvelous collection, quips, “In the Reserved Fund we have an impressive amount of Italian books…” Yes, César, and I’d like to add that they’re fantastically well-traveled too, making pit stops from Venice to Cádiz before finding their final resting place in Mexico. Those books must have some wild stories to tell!
Speaking of stories, did you know that our very own literary hero Petrarch tossed his hat in the ring back in 1492? One of the exhibition’s star attractions is his incunabulum Triumph, a real page-turner that even comes with the added bonus of being a rare find! You wouldn’t believe the lengths these books went through to be here today—if only they could speak; they’d make a bestseller.
Now, how did these magnificent tomes make their way over the ocean to our good ol’ New Spain? Well, there were three solstice-like pathways for their arrival: first, through the industrious booksellers of Seville—those charming folks had a knack for exploiting the growing markets in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro. Second up were the religious orders, who practically turned their conveyances into mobile libraries, bringing along tons of titles like you might bring your mum’s casserole to a family gathering. And let’s not forget the curious passengers who sailed across the seas with their beloved books tucked under their arms!
Italian Renaissance literature was all the rave, folks! Petrarch, Boccaccio, and Dante were the rockstars of their time—everyone wanted to read them and, spoiler alert, some attempted to channel their genius! But just like that renowned drama club that insists on censoring Shakespeare’s more risqué scenes, the Inquisition threw a spanner in the works and began to furrow its collective brow over certain Italian works, resulting in some major censorship. Lighten up, Inquisition!
Look, it’s not all scandalous tales; the exhibition offers various genres, including math and architecture. One notable work by Palladio explains how to construct columns and vaults, which is positively riveting—or as riveting as construction can be! Plus, you’ll also find an emblem book that depicts America through the lens of an early European perspective. Picture this: a semi-wild, semi-naked Amazon woman, fierce as she takes center stage! Ah, the early Renaissance—you’ve got to love the creative liberties!
Oh, and for the history buffs among us, America in Italy gets its own spotlight in the exhibition, showcasing translations of letters by Hernán Cortés! And let’s not forget a rare herbarium, beautifully printed in Venice in 1617, featuring absolutely exquisite imagery of the maguey plant. Top quality, folks!
If you’re itching to see history up close without running into dreadful crowds, head over to the Reserved Fund of the National Library of Mexico in Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX. Admission is free, and you can stroll through pages of history every weekday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Just make sure to bring your reading glasses and perhaps a snack or two, because once you get lost in those books, you might just forget to eat!
So grab your friends, bring your curiosity, and let’s rekindle that love for literature sprinkled with a cheeky pinch of history!
Almost all the book specimens showcased in the current exhibition trace their origins back to the viceregal period, with a small selection arriving in the 19th century. These historical artifacts are now housed in the esteemed National Library of Mexico.
At the heart of the exhibition is a significant work by Boccaccio, who penned a pivotal treatise detailing the lives of women. Unfortunately, this enlightening text faced censorship from the Holy Inquisition due to its inclusion of the tale and portrayal of the papisa Juana. Presently, this remarkable book can be viewed at the National Library of Mexico as part of the fascinating exhibition titled Echoes of Italy: Italian Renaissance Book, which is set to run until January 13, 2025.
César Manrique, co-curator of the exhibition, remarked during an interview, “In the Reserved Fund, we house an impressive selection of Italian books. This exhibition represents merely a glimpse into the vast richness of the National Library’s collection, commemorating 150 years of diplomatic relations with Italy.”
The displayed books, which were either printed or once owned in cities such as Venice, Genoa, Rome, Florence, and Padua, made their way to Spain before being transported across the Atlantic from Seville or Cádiz. They ultimately reached the shores of Mexico as possessions of booksellers or were intended for sale in what was then known as New Spain.
Manrique emphasized, “It is miraculous that we have these specimens here after their extensive journeys and adventures, as nearly all of them arrived during the viceregal era, while a few made it here in the 19th century.”
Opening the exhibition is an incunabulum of Petrarch, printed in 1492, titled Triumph. The National Library boasts numerous copies of his works, including songs and sonnets, alongside a translation by a Peruvian Creole, printed in Madrid in 1591.
The books that found their way to New Spain arrived through various channels. The first method involved booksellers, predominantly from Seville, who forwarded shipments specifically for the burgeoning market in New Spain, where cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro were expanding rapidly.
Another prominent route was through religious orders. Each new wave of missionaries, including Franciscans, Augustinians, Jesuits, and Carmelites, journeyed laden with countless books. Additionally, passengers arriving in New Spain often brought their personal collections along with them.
Italian Renaissance literature garnered immense admiration during its time. Manrique noted, “Everyone sought to engage with the humanists and the Italian painters. Figures such as Petrarch, Boccaccio, and Dante were extensively read and emulated, influencing authors like Machiavelli, Torquato Tasso, and Ludovico Ariosto.”
However, despite its widespread popularity, the Inquisition commenced scrutinizing certain fragments of Italian literature in the 16th century, imposing censorship on specific passages to align with its stringent moral code.
Highlighted within the exhibition is Boccaccio’s notable treatise on the lives of women, printed in Berne in 1539. It features illustrations of Eve, Venus, Juno, and the contentious papisa Juana, whose narrative includes a striking account of giving birth during a public procession. The censorship extended beyond text to the engravings that accompanied them. Other books bearing marks of censorship include the sermons of the notorious Girolamo Savonarola.
The renowned researcher from the UNAM Bibliographic Research Institute noted that the influx of books wasn’t limited merely to literary works; scholarly texts covering mathematics and architecture were also of great interest. For instance, works by Palladium, which detail the construction methods of columns, capitals, measurements, and vaults, were highly sought after.
Among the diverse genres represented are emblem books. An important edition of Iconology by Cesare Ripa, printed in Padua in 1625, depicts a fierce, semi-wild Amazon woman, illustrating the construction of America’s identity as it was perceived in early Renaissance Europe.
The exhibition also features a dedicated showcase titled America in Italy. Here, visitors can view the Italian translation from 1524 of Hernán Cortés’ relationship letters, a translation of the chronicles by López de Gómara, and an herbarium by Castore Durante, New Herbarium, printed in Venice in 1617, which contains descriptions and illustrations of the maguey plant.
In a final note, Manrique indicated that the Italian Institute of Culture has graciously lent five remarkable books for this exhibition, including pivotal works by Machiavelli, Petrarch, and the illustrious Florentine historian Guicciardini. “These items reflect the intricate traces of readers, censorship, the circulation of books, diverse genres, and the cultural and commercial relations that flourished during this era,” he concluded.
Where to see the exhibition?
The exhibition is hosted in the Reserved Fund of the National Library of Mexico, located within the Cultural Center Circuit in Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX. It remains open to the public until January 13, 2025, with free admission available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
which author published lives of the most excellent painters, sculptors, and architects in 1530?
Prominently featured in the collection. In particular, a remarkable study by Palladio outlines the principles of architectural design, demonstrating how to construct magnificent columns and vaults. If you’ve ever marveled at breathtaking architecture, this book likely holds the blueprint to those awe-inspiring designs!
Moreover, the exhibition welcomes visitors not only to relish in the literary glories of the past but also to explore the fascinating intersection of Italian culture and the early European perception of America. One of the extraordinary pieces displayed is an emblem book illustrating America, featuring powerful imagery of a semi-wild, semi-naked Amazon woman, symbolizing the European lens through which the New World was viewed.
For anyone with a penchant for exploration and history, the exhibition also highlights America in Italy, showcasing translated letters from Hernán Cortés. This brings an additional layer of context for understanding the complex relationships and narratives between the Old and New Worlds during this period of exploration and colonization.
A standout artifact includes a rare herbarium delicately printed in Venice in 1617, featuring breathtaking illustrations of the maguey plant—a vital resource in colonial Mexico. This herbarium is more than just an image book; it provides insights into the botanical knowledge and cultural significance of native flora during the early colonial era.
So whether you’re a book lover, a history enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys a good story, the exhibition at the Reserved Fund of the National Library of Mexico is your go-to destination. It’s a vibrant tapestry woven from culture, adventure, and intellect—an adventure waiting to unfold right through those pages! The exhibition runs until January 13, 2025, so mark your calendars and prepare to be transported through time, one book at a time!
With free admission and a serene atmosphere, it’s the ideal setting to immerse yourself in literary wonders, indulge your curiosity, and maybe even forge a deeper connection with the history that has shaped both Italy and Mexico. So gather your friends, explore these monumental works, and let the echoes of Italian Renaissance literature resonate through the halls of the National Library of Mexico!
