Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Sebastian Hau

Vittorio Alfieri
Tragedie (Vol. 2: Virginia, Agamennone, Oreste, Rosmunda)
Pirotta & Maspero, Milano, 1801
[2], 300-[1] p.; 18 cm. 12º

Vittorio Alfieri (1749–1803) was a foundational Italian tragic dramatist and writer, known for his relentless dedication to the themes of liberty and hatred of tyranny. His tragedies represent one of the highest and most influential moments of 18th-century Italian literature. They are central to his work and are characterized by austere, passionate dialogue and strict classical structure, and they deeply influenced the political spirit of the Italian Risorgimento.

The action is always essential, minimal, and devoid of secondary or superfluous elements. The language is sublime, dry, and laconic (characterized by brevity and conciseness), often rendered through the use of unrhymed verse (verso sciolto, typically the endecasillabo or hendecasyllable).

Alfieri rigidly observed the unities of time, place, and action, focusing the drama entirely on the dialogues and the psychological conflicts of the characters.
The characters are archetypes embodying universal passions and principles. They are sharply divided into two moral categories: Tyrants and Strong Free Individuals (Liberi Forti):
The Tyrant is a monolithic figure, obsessed with power and fear. He is not inherently evil but is made so by power itself.
The Strong/Free Hero embodies the ideal of "fierce love of one's homeland" (feroce amor di patria) and titanic virtue. He is often doomed to perish, but his death is a moral victory and an act of affirming his inner freedom.

The true core of every Alfierian tragedy is the desperate and often tragic struggle between the virtuous individual and the oppression of absolute power. Alfieri's tragedies—with their central themes of liberty, fierce patriotism, and hatred of tyranny—were hugely influential on the intellectual and political climate that led to the Italian Risorgimento (unification movement). An 1801 printing places the book right at the start of the Napoleonic era and the earliest stirrings of Italian nationalism.

Early, historically significant edition of Alfieri’s foundational tragedies, published in Milan in 1801. A key collectible linking directly to the revolutionary spirit of the Risorgimento.

Original marble boards, gilt title and gilt decorations on spine, light wear and some rounding of corners. Ownership signatures on the flyleaf and title page. Public administration stamp on the flyleaf and back cover. Red colored edges. Pages are clear and have limited toning.

PS: I'll ship the book carefully packaged in bubble wrap, via An Post, the Irish Postal Service ("Registered Post, Tracking & Insurance included to protect your valuable items"). Tracking number will be provided as soon as dispatched.

Book

Vittorio Alfieri - Tragedie - 1801

Books

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Budget

From

Closing date

Saturday

13 April

Wednesday

tomorrow

Thursday

16 April

Friday

14 April

Sunday

15 April

18 April

17 April

Location

France

Italy

The Netherlands

United Kingdom

Germany

Belgium

Switzerland

Spain

Ireland

Greece

Austria

Portugal

Israel

Poland

Romania

Luxembourg

Latvia

Malta

Estonia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Lithuania

Bulgaria

Japan

Sweden

Brand

Citroën

Object

Reference book

Single sheet print

Bible

Print

Manuscript

Coffee table book

Novel

Ex libris

Document

Magazine

Biography

Tour-book

Booklet

Newspaper

Facsimile

Photo album

Photo book

Artwork

Autobiography

Painting

Autograph letter signed (ALS)

Brochure

Block carving

Event

Country of origin

Türkiye

Netherlands

Material

Paper

Condition

Good

Very good

Fine

Fair

As new

Mixed / Multiple

Good condition

Poor

Excellent

Excellent (EX)

Excellent condition

Fair condition

Extras

Slipcase

Fold out maps or plates

Tipped in plates

Dust jacket

Signed by author

Signed by illustrator

Hand coloured illustrations

Signed

Inscribed by author

Limited edition

Numbered edition

Period

1910-1920

19th century

17th century

18th century

1920-1930

16th century

2000-2010

1861-1880

1761-1780

1561-1580

1400-1420

Early 20th century

Subject

Literature

Illustrated

History

Travels

Religion

Children's books

Geography

Medicine

Poetry

Science

Reference

Sociology

Natural History

Botany

Politics

Philosophy

Biographies and memoirs

War history

Esotericism

Erotica

Fine Bindings

Cookery, food & drink

Cartography

Nature

Style

Renaissance

Baroque

Romanticism

Jugendstil

Arts & Crafts

Symbolism

Classical

Ancient Egyptian

Indus Valley

Medieval

Art Deco

Realism

Rococo

Modern

Cobra

Technique

Engraving

Woodcut print

Etching

Mixed technique

Chalk

Watercolour painting

Lithograph

Copper engraving

Lithography

Signature

Plate signed

Not signed

Signed by

Binding

Hardback

Leather

Softback

Half leather

Vellum

Loose page

Mix / Multiple

Portfolio

Disbound

Single page

Books

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Vittorio Alfieri - Tragedie - 1801

Popular in Books

2091 objects

Related collections