Prudenzio / Bodoni - Opera Omnia - 1788

THE ELEGANCE OF THE SACRED: PRUDENCE IN THE TYPOGRAPHIC PERFECTION OF BODONI
The Parmense edition of 1788 of Prudence’s works, printed by Giambattista Bodoni, represents one of the most refined outcomes of European neoclassical typography. In this monumental work, late antique poetry meets the formal perfection of Bodoni’s printing, in a balance between spiritual content and absolute aesthetic form. Bodoni, already famous for the purity of his typefaces and the clarity of layout, offers here one of his highest proofs, transforming Prudence’s text into a book object of great harmony and rigor. The work sits at the heart of the Enlightenment project of recovering and valorizating Christian classics, filtered through a modern and monumental typographic sensibility.
MARKET VALUE
Bodonian editions in large format and in multiple volumes, such as this 1788 edition, generally range between 800 and 1,500 euros. The quality of the paper, the breadth of the margins, and the condition of the binding markedly affect the valuation.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Contemporary half blue-leather binding, spines with gilded ornaments and title on a double tongue; red edges, signs of wear. Frontispieces adorned with an engraving-style ornament. Quality paper, typical of Bodoni production. In ancient books with a multi-century history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description. Pp. (2); 10nn; 362; (2). (2); 4nn; 284; 2nn; (2).

FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Aurelii Prudentii Clementis Opera Omnia.
Parmae, ex Regio Typographeo, 1788.
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens.
Bodoni

CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
Prudenzio, a Christian poet of the 4th century, represents one of the principal authors of late antique Latin literature. His works, including the Psychomachia and liturgical hymns, were fundamental in shaping the medieval Christian symbolic imagery. The Bodoni edition of 1788 fits within the cultural program of recovering classical and Christian texts promoted in the Parma milieu under the Bourbon duchy. Bodoni, with his pursuit of typographic perfection, transforms the text into an object of visual contemplation: the clarity of the characters, the page proportions, and the balance of spaces reflect a neoclassical aesthetic ideal based on purity and order. This edition is particularly valued for the quality of the printing and for the author-typographer’s direct oversight, which guarantees its executive excellence.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Aurelius Prudentius Clement (circa 348 – after 405) was one of the most important Christian poets of ancient Latin. Born probably in Hispania, he held administrative positions in the Roman Empire before dedicating himself to religious writing. His works, characterized by a strong allegorical and moral component, had enormous influence on medieval culture and on Christian poetry.

PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
Prudenzio’s works were printed from the beginnings of typography, but with Bodoni they reach one of the highest formal expressions. The 1788 edition is among the most famous of Bodoni’s output and bears witness to the full maturity of his Parmense workshop.
The typographic care and the quality of the materials make this print a benchmark for the history of the eighteenth-century book.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Brooks, Compendiosa Bibliografia delle Edizioni Bodoniane, n. 361.
Brunet, Manuel du Libraire, IV, col. 916.
De Lama, Vita del Cavaliere Giambattista Bodoni.
ICCU/OPAC SBN, record for the Parma 1788 edition.