Tasso, Torquato
Gerusalemme liberata
London, G.T. Masi e Com.; 1778
2 volumes
XIV,331; 337p.; 2 engr. titles, portrait and 21 plates by G. and P. LAPI and F. GREGORI
Original uniformed calf with ribbed richly gilt floral spine w/ red morocco letterpiece, red edges
Very good condition, some wear of leather
Size 4 by 6 1/3 inches
Rare edition
Text in Italian

Jerusalem Delivered, also known as The Liberation of Jerusalem ('The freed Jerusalem'), is an epic poem by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso, first published in 1581, that tells a largely mythified version of the First Crusade in which Christian knights, led by Godfrey of Bouillon, battle Muslims in order to take Jerusalem.
Tasso's choice of subject matter, an actual historic conflict between Christians and Muslims (albeit with fantastical elements added), had a historical grounding and created compositional implications (the narrative subject matter had a fixed endpoint and could not be endlessly spun out in multiple volumes) that are lacking in other Renaissance epics. Like other works of the period that portray conflicts between Christians and Muslims, this subject matter had a topical resonance to readers of the period when the Ottoman Empire was advancing through Eastern Europe.
The poem was hugely successful, and sections or moments from the story were used in works in other media all over Europe, especially in the period before the French Revolution and the Romantic movement, which provided alternative stories combining love, violence, and an exotic setting.
=



Reserve: $400.00

Shipping:

Domestic: Flat-rate of $25.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.

International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT.

Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.

Location: This item ships from Pennsylvania

Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.