February 6, 2025

Celebrating A New Arrival: Dante!

The University of Washington Libraries is pleased to announce the acquisition of a rare and remarkable volume: the 1544 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy featuring commentary by Alessandro Vellutello. Published in Venice by Francesco Marcolini, this edition stands out not only for its scholarly significance but also for its artistic innovation. Vellutello, a leading Dante commentator of the 16th century, revolutionized how readers engaged with The Divine Comedy by integrating his own extensive commentary with an unprecedented suite of woodcut illustrations. The 87 woodcuts designed specifically for this edition were intended to supplement the text and deepen the reader’s understanding of Dante’s vision of the afterlife. This was the first time that illustrations were deliberately designed to work in concert with the commentary, a concept that shaped future approaches to visualizing literary works.

The book itself is bound in a beautiful 17th-century calfskin binding with gold tooling along the spine, reflecting the care and value placed on it by previous owners.

Within its pages, scholars will find not only intricate woodcuts but also historical marginalia including a fascinating 16th-century inscription referencing an astrological conjunction believed to signal a change in religious thought. This artifact enhances opportunities for research in textual studies, early modern European literature, art history and book history, allowing students and faculty to explore how early readers interacted with and interpreted Dante’s work.

Adding to its significance, this volume connects to a broader scholarly discussion on the origins of its illustrations. Some scholars have speculated that Giovanni Britto, a printmaker associated with Titian, may have been responsible for cutting the woodblocks. Others suggest that Vellutello himself may have created the preparatory drawings, portions of which are now held at The Morgan Library. Regardless of the artist’s exact identity, the craftsmanship of this edition represents a pivotal moment in the history of illustrated books.

This extraordinary addition of the 1544 edition of The Divine Comedy to UW Libraries’ Special Collections was made possible by the Charles T. Leibst Libraries Endowed Fund.

We are deeply grateful for this generous support, which enables us to acquire, maintain, and preserve antiquarian books. With this type of support, UW Libraries continues to develop its distinctive collections to align with the array of interests of our students, faculty, and community members.

-Julie Tanaka, Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections, UW Libraries

The generous support of endowments, such as the Leibst endowment, allows UW Libraries to acquire historically significant materials that inspire inquiry and lead to innovative teaching, original research, and student success.

The Vellutello Dante may be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room by making an appointment via the catalog link here. Instructors interested in using this material for classes can contact Special Collection by email (speccoll@uw.edu).

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