Erasmus Roterodamus / Holbein - Eloge de la folie - 1780

Engraved title page and 82 drawings by Holbein illustrating the various degrees of madness. Elogio della Follia: Éloge De La Folie, with the images of Jean Holbein taken from the original drawings. Written in 1509, it is a vitriolic allegorical satire on the errors of scholastic philosophy and ecclesiastical malpractice. While sharing the aspiration of the Lutheran reformation to a more authentic and less dogmatic Christianity, Erasmus opposed a break with the Church of Rome, hoping for a renewal of the Western world based on ancient form and Christian morality. It is the book that prepared Europe for that moral and religious revolution that was the Protestant Reformation. A satirical masterpiece by one of the most brilliant minds of Humanism, In Praise of Folly was written in just one week by the sharp pen of Erasmus during a stay at the house of his friend Thomas More. Initially born as a game to delight his friends, this work took the shape and consistency of an essay, and it was published in full in 1511. Folly, the protagonist and undisputed subject of her own self-praise, is elevated to supreme good of humanity. Daughter of Pluto, god of wealth and youth, she accompanies all kinds of people: young and old, male and female, warriors and theologians, service boys, servants, pontiffs, kings, and even God himself. A bearer of well-being and happiness, unlike wisdom, it is the true engine that guides the actions of men and makes existence bearable. Otherwise - Erasmus argued - who would like to have children and procreate if they were not in the grip of the folly of love? Blue half leather binding with gold-engraved titles on the spine. Portrait of Erasmus on the title page reproduced on coeval paper. Presentation of the curator followed by the preface of Erasmus, addressed to Thomas More. Basel, J. J. Thurneysen, le Jeune, 1780, Pp. XVI-392 with 82 figures. Engraved title page and 82 drawings by Holbein illustrating the various degrees of madness. Erasmus of Rotterdam (Latin: Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus) was a Dutch theologian, humanist, philosopher, and essayist. He signed his writings under the pseudonym Desiderius Erasmus, his best-known work is “In praise of Folly”. He is considered the greatest exponent of Christian Humanism. Wonderful illustrated book by Erasmus philosopher, humanist and theologian, considered one of the greatest figures of European culture. A superb work. By folly, Erasmus means our actions and their consequences. Full title: Éloge De La Folie NOUVELLEMANT TRADUIT DU LATIN D'ERASME Par M. DE. LA VEAUX AVEC LES FIGURES DE JEAN HOLBEIN GRAVEES D'APRES LES DESSINS ORIGINAUX A BASLE Imprime avec des caractere de G. HAAS Chez J. J. THURNEYSEN le Jeune M. DCC. LXXX (1780) .