1617 ILLUSTRATED EDITION of Gerusalemme Liberata (Jerusalem Delivered) by Torquato Tasso (1544-1595) a Renaissance poet, writer and playwright, in which he depicts a highly imaginative version of the combats between Christians and Muslims at the end of the First Crusade, during the Siege of Jerusalem of 1099 and led by Godfrey of Bouillon (c. 1060–1100). The book is richly illustrated with 21 full page copper engravings; height 300 x width 218 mm (11.8 by 8.6 inches), highly detailed and beautifully engraved, each with a different frame, embellished with monsters, angels, mythological beings, cherubs, and dwarves in full Italian Mannerist style. The elaborate illustrations are by the painters and engravers Agostino Carracci (1557–1602) and Giacomo Franco (1550–1620) based on drawings by Bernardo Castello (1557–1629), all late Mannerist artists specializing in portraits, frescoes, paintings, city views, battle scenes, animals, etc. Text and illustrations in excellent condition, intact and well contrasted and with antique binding in good condition. References World Cat OCLC n°1179241288; USTC n°4024470; Adams T,243; Brunet V, 666; Cicognara I, 1113; Graesse VII,33; Olschki, Choix, XII, 18727: "A highly regarded and sought-after edition for its beautiful illustrations."; Gamba 948; Thieme/B. VI, 147; Guidi, 19-20: «Beautiful and magnificent edition»; Raccolta Tassiana, 198; New York, USA, The Morgan Library PML 198557; Windsor Castle, UK, n°1081252; Patrimonio Bibliográfico Español n°CCPB000038417-8; Charles Peter Brand's Torquato Tasso: A Study of the Poet and of his Contribution to English Literature (1965); Jason Lawrence: Tasso's Art and Afterlives: The Gerusalemme Liberata in England (2017). COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED EDITION. The work opens with a refined architectural frontispiece framing a portrait of Torquato Tasso, a view of the city of Genova, two mythological beings, angels and cherubs. A very valuable and sought-after edition, especially for the beautiful engravings taken from drawings by Bernardo Castello, "different and no less valuable than those used in the 1590 edition" (Piantanida III, 3846). This is Torquato Tasso's most important work, as well as one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian literature, Tasso remained one of the most widely read poets in Europe. The work, an epic poem of 20 songs with 20 illustrations, sings (canti) of the clashes between Christians and Muslims during the First Crusade, culminating in the Christian capture of Jerusalem in 1099. 21 full page copper engravings, each illustration is well engraved and each has a different frame with monsters, demons, mythological beings and grotesque masks that were often placed at the top of doorways and buildings as protection against bad luck, as can still be seen today in Venice, Florence or in Rome, see the famous "Bocca della Verità" (Mouth of Truth). TITLE : La Gerusalemme Liberata...(Jerusalem Delivered) AUTHORS: Torquato Tasso (1544-1595). Additional comments by Scipion Gentili, Giulio Guastavini, and the arguments of Orazio Ariosti. Engravers Agostino Carracci (1557-1602), Giacomo Franco (1550-1620) based on drawings by Bernardo Castello (1557-1629) PUBLISHER: Giuseppe Pavoni in Genova DATE: MDCXVII (1617). Italian text DESCRIPTION: In folio size, height 300 x width 218 mm (11.8 by 8.6 inches). Pages [14], 255, [1], 71, [1], 36, [4], with illustrated frontispiece, and 20 full-page copper-engraved plates within elegant borders; graceful illustrated initials and Topic (Argomento) within woodcut cartouche at the beginning of each song (canto), some numbering errors. Antique half red long-grained morocco, few small holes in the binding, some scuffs on the boards, edges and corners due to use, but solid binding, perfectly functional and in very good condition as per photo. The text and pages are clean, rare dampstaining and spotting. COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED EDITION. SHIPPING: via UPS, DHL, National Postal Services, protected, INSURED and fully tracked package. Estimated time for Europe 3-5 working days. Shipping within one working day, you can combine shipping if you purchases several items from us, saving money and time.