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FRANCESCO PETRARCA, 1304-1374
Triumphi
On paper
Central Italy, second half of the 15th century
MS 943, ff. 43v - 44r
The Triumphi, the extended series of poems depicting the victorious succession of Love, Chastity, Death, Fame, Time, and Eternity, end with Petrarch's contemplation of his own eternal salvation and his profound desire to see his beloved Laura again in heaven, “Or che fie dunque a rivederla in cielo” (“Now how will it be to see her again in heaven”). In MS 943, the final line of the Triumphi is followed by the Latin word “FINIS” ("The end”). Uncharacteristically, and in contrast to Beinecke MS 438, the Triumphi of MS 943 are modestly decorated, written on paper, and bound with a copy of La Sfera by Leonardo Dati. The first folio is missing from the manuscript, and it is very likely that it held decoration to open the Triumphi. If it had been a beautiful illumination, this would not be the first time that an illuminated codex has been mutilated to serve the fancy of a collector to have a pretty picture irrespective of its original source or purpose. More likely for this manuscript is simply the loss of the outside leaves of a book that probably did not have a proper cover at that time.
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