Erasmo - Encomium - 1518

Erasmus of Rotterdam

Encomium of marriage by Des. Erasmus Rot.
Eulogy of the medical art

Basileae - 1518 -
Ioannes Frobenius

55, (1) p.
In 40 - 20 x 16 cm.

First Rare Edition of Froben of a work that includes two of Erasmus's most lively and provocative treatises.
ADAMS E 369
BEZZEL 900
BM STC German p. 275
ERASMUS online: 1813

The 'Encomium matrimonii' celebrates marriage as a divine and social institution, contrasting it with a celibate life, introducing an innovative and more human perspective on the marital bond, often seen in relation to the subsequent 'Institutio Christiani Matrimonii' (1526), and its ideas on church reform, emphasizing the importance of love and mutual companionship.

One of the first works to openly support the value of marriage, at a time when ecclesiastical celibacy was preferred.
Erasmus extols marriage as a spiritual and practical union, not only for procreation but also for companionship, mutual support, and spiritual growth—an idea revolutionary for its time.

The text contrasts with 'Elogio della follia' (1509), which uses madness to criticize conventions.
The 'Encomium matrimonii' instead uses praise to sanctify the marital union, albeit with humor and irony typical of Erasmus.

The opera centers the debate on family, recognizing the value of marriage in a society dominated by the clerical view and introducing a more realistic and emotional perspective of marriage, including conflict management and the importance of love, thus anticipating modern approaches.

The 'Encomium artis medicae' is a humanistic celebration of the healing arts, dedicated to the doctor from Antwerp, Hendrik van den Eynde.
It exalts medicine as an almost divine discipline that preserves life, restores health, and unites moral purpose with practical skill.

The doctor, Erasmo argues, is an instrument of God on earth: they witness birth, sustain life through wisdom and diet, and save the dying through the gifts of nature.

Besides his praise of science itself, the text presents a notably modern vision.
From medical ethics: the duties of the doctor are competence, diligence, and beneficence; the patient’s duties are gratitude and fair compensation.
In this reciprocal relationship, Erasmus identifies the moral dignity of the profession.

Beautiful binding in full rigid reused parchment, featuring a 14th-century manuscript in elegant polychrome rubrication.
Title, author, and date of printing printed on the back.

Very good preservation of the interiors, with a splendid engraved frontispiece by Hans Holbein the Younger, a famous Swiss engraver working in Basel where the work is printed.
On the left margin of the decorated frame of the title page, the initials of Holbein 'HH' are annotated in pencil beside.
Beautiful large historiated initials (9 lines).
Postillatures, probably contemporary, and underlinings in the text.
Colophon on the front of the last card (G4r), while on the back (G4v) is placed the splendid Froben stamp, with a possible 'motto'.
Manuscript, probably contemporary, at the top margin.
Minor tanning and a few small spots.
Modern guards
Paper exlibris on the front cover.

Excellent and rare copy, complete in every part.
Settled. Complete.