1685 – Praise of Folly – Erasmus of Rotterdam | Protestant Reform & Humanism

In 1509, Erasmus composed his famous essay ‘In Praise of Folly’ which was a satirical attack on superstitions and other unconventional traditions in European society. Since its inception in the early 16th-century, it is considered one of the most important works of the Renaissance and helped develop early stages of the Protestant Reformation.

Erasmus uses satire to examine doctrine and corruption within the Catholic Church, even though Erasmus was devoted deeply to Catholicism. He concludes In Praise of Folly with statements of supporting Christian Protestantism. He frequently references Greek mythological creatures and figures.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Mōrias enkōmion. = Stultitiæ laus.
• Author(s): Desiderius Erasmus
• Publisher: Amstelaedami, apud Henricum Wetstenium
• Edition: 1685 edition.
• Binding: Full leather
• Format: (16mo), single volume
• Size:  5 x 3 in (13 x 8 cm)
• Collation: [8], 152 pp
• Illustrations:
• Provenance: Front endpapers contain extensive handwritten notes titled “Index Capitum.”
• Contents Include:
  • Satirical treatment of European society
  • Critique of religious customs
  • References to classical mythology
  • Humanist themes
• Provenance: Bookplates of Giles Robertson (1913–1987) 20th-century British art historian and expert on the Italian Renaissance; and D.S. Robertson (1885–1961) classical scholar and the Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge, on front endpaper.

Condition:

Good. Full leather binding with tight and secure text block; front cover attached only by threads. Pages generally clean with minimal foxing.

Why Collect This?

• Famous, Classic Renaissance satire in Latin
• Interest for collectors of humanism, satire, and Erasmus

Item Number: #50211