Gio Palazzi, Venice, 1700. "Aquila romana overo monarchia occidentale da Carlo Magno sino alla coronazione del glorioso Leopoldo primo." 45 (out of 48) full-page copper engravings. 403 (of 409) pages on 2 sheets and 1 sheet original binding on vellum The ninth installment of "Monarchia occidentalis" is a stand-alone book and the only one in the series published in Italian. Gorgeous engravings depict a number of allegorical emperor images, some of which have recognizable captions. There are gaps in pages 111–112, 137–138, and 213/214. Written in Italian.
"Aquila romana overo monarchia occidentale da Carlo Magno sino alla coronazione del glorioso Leopoldo primo" translates to "Roman Eagle or Western Monarchy from Charlemagne to the coronation of the glorious Leopold I". This book, published in Venice in 1700, was written by Gio Palazzi. While Palazzi may not be a widely recognized name today, he was a significant figure in Venetian intellectual circles of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was a historian, a man of letters, and an engraver, deeply involved in the cultural and intellectual life of Venice. His works often reflected the political and religious climate of the time, sometimes even facing censorship due to their leanings towards Quietism, a controversial mystical movement within Catholicism.
One interesting aspect of Palazzi's work is the context in which it was produced. Venice at the turn of the 18th century was a city steeped in history, yet also navigating a complex political landscape. The Republic of Venice, though diminished from its former glory, still maintained a degree of independence and cultural vibrancy. Palazzi's historical writings, including "Aquila romana," would have resonated with a Venetian audience keenly aware of their own past and the broader European context. The book's focus on the Western monarchy, tracing its lineage from Charlemagne to Leopold I, would have provided a historical framework for understanding the contemporary political order in Europe, with the Holy Roman Empire at its center.
While "Aquila romana" may not be considered a groundbreaking historical text today, it holds historical significance as a product of its time and place. It offers insights into the intellectual interests and perspectives of a Venetian scholar at the beginning of the 18th century. Moreover, the book's very existence, along with the fact that it was published in Venice, speaks to the city's continued role as a center of learning and publishing, even as its political power waned. Exploring the life and works of Gio Palazzi provides a window into a lesser-known chapter of Venetian history, reminding us that historical understanding often lies in the details and the stories of individuals who may not have achieved widespread fame.
Gio Palazzi, Venice, 1700. "Aquila romana overo monarchia occidentale da Carlo Magno sino alla coronazione del glorioso Leopoldo primo." 45 (out of 48) full-page copper engravings. 403 (of 409) pages on 2 sheets and 1 sheet original binding on vellum The ninth installment of "Monarchia occidentalis" is a stand-alone book and the only one in the series published in Italian. Gorgeous engravings depict a number of allegorical emperor images, some of which have recognizable captions. There are gaps in pages 111–112, 137–138, and 213/214. Written in Italian.
"Aquila romana overo monarchia occidentale da Carlo Magno sino alla coronazione del glorioso Leopoldo primo" translates to "Roman Eagle or Western Monarchy from Charlemagne to the coronation of the glorious Leopold I". This book, published in Venice in 1700, was written by Gio Palazzi. While Palazzi may not be a widely recognized name today, he was a significant figure in Venetian intellectual circles of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was a historian, a man of letters, and an engraver, deeply involved in the cultural and intellectual life of Venice. His works often reflected the political and religious climate of the time, sometimes even facing censorship due to their leanings towards Quietism, a controversial mystical movement within Catholicism.
One interesting aspect of Palazzi's work is the context in which it was produced. Venice at the turn of the 18th century was a city steeped in history, yet also navigating a complex political landscape. The Republic of Venice, though diminished from its former glory, still maintained a degree of independence and cultural vibrancy. Palazzi's historical writings, including "Aquila romana," would have resonated with a Venetian audience keenly aware of their own past and the broader European context. The book's focus on the Western monarchy, tracing its lineage from Charlemagne to Leopold I, would have provided a historical framework for understanding the contemporary political order in Europe, with the Holy Roman Empire at its center.
While "Aquila romana" may not be considered a groundbreaking historical text today, it holds historical significance as a product of its time and place. It offers insights into the intellectual interests and perspectives of a Venetian scholar at the beginning of the 18th century. Moreover, the book's very existence, along with the fact that it was published in Venice, speaks to the city's continued role as a center of learning and publishing, even as its political power waned. Exploring the life and works of Gio Palazzi provides a window into a lesser-known chapter of Venetian history, reminding us that historical understanding often lies in the details and the stories of individuals who may not have achieved widespread fame.