Agrippa Von Nettesheym (OCCULT & ALCHEMY) - De Incertitudine & Vanitate - 1531

Agrippa Von Nettesheym Henricus Cornelius

De Incertitudine & Vanitate Scientiarum & Artium

Parisiis - 1531 -
Apud Ioannem Petrum

(8)p, IX-CLIX c.
Signature : A4 B-V8.
In 8o - 16 x 10,5 cm. -

IL TESTO PIÙ CELEBRE E PERSEGUITATO DI AGRIPPA,
IL MAGO DEL RINASCIMENTO.

Rarissima seconda edizione, after the Princeps of Antwerp in the previous year (1530) and the first French edition, not to be confused with the Parisian counterfeit of the same year.

After having written the “De occulta philosophia” on magic, in this text he does the opposite: he demolishes all sciences, all arts, theology, medicine, law, asserting that only the Word of God counts.

The work was immediately censured and condemned on March 2, 1531 (only a month after printing), by decree of the Faculty of Theology, which mentions it very precisely.

The present first Paris edition “De Incertitudine & Vanitate” was printed in the Sorbonne Quarter, that is, right under the Sorbonne, which was condemning it. Almost as a defiant act.

It is the manifesto of Renaissance skepticism.

Von Nettesheym, deemed prince of black magicians and of witches, nevertheless managed to evade the Inquisition.
A figure of particular prominence in occult circles, he presents in this fundamental text a critique of philosophical traditions together with a discussion of mysticism, dreams, ceremonial practices.

The author harshly attacks the vanity, contradictions and uselessness of most sciences, arts, philosophy, and medicine of his time, arguing that they do not lead to true knowledge or salvation.

The work adopts the tones of declamation and skeptical invective, challenging the arrogance of the human intellect in the face of the limits of reason.
On the other hand, in contrast to the fragility of earthly and academic knowledge, Agrippa exalts the absolute superiority and excellence of the Word of God (Verbum Dei).

With the splendid and famous mark of Jean Petit (the most important Parisian bookseller), depicting the mermaid with a mirror, used in this text with a perfect meaning:
Vanity that gazes into the mirror.
With the motto “Nocet empta dolore voluptas” (“The pleasure bought with pain harms”).

Excellent and sturdy sixteenth-century full-leather binding, with elegant gilt-tooled decorations on the spine with 5 raised bands, as well as a gilt-titled title-piece. Abrasions at the hinges and headpieces, without any breakage and with firmly fixed hinges. Small reinforcements at the corners of the front board.

Internals very well preserved, with a compact body, very fresh and clean leaves.
Only on the last leaf and on the verso of the penultimate leaf is there a small paper insertion at the upper inner corner, affecting a few letters of text (see photo of the last leaf with colophon).
Ancient ex libris erased on the splendid title page.
Slightly sprinkled edges.
Original flyleaves preserved.

Excellent and important copy, complete in every part.
BOUND. COMPLETE