[Borghini], Esequie del divino Michelagnolo, Florence, 1564, later limp vellum

[BORGHINI, VINCENZO]. Esequie del divino Michelagnolo Buonarroti celebrate in Firenze dall'Accademia de Pittori, Scultori, & Architettori. Nella chiesa di S. Lorenzo il di 28 Giugno MDLXIIII. Florence: Giunta, 1564

A record of the funeral of Michelangelo, held in the church of San Lorenzo in Florence in 1564; although he died in Rome, on 18 February 1564, his body was taken to Florence and given an elaborate and state-organised funeral. Vincenzo Borghini was the vice-president of the Accademia at this time, and the obsequies were lavish enough to surpass those of the Medici themselves. As well as a description of the funeral, there are letters and verses lauding Michelangelo from numerous people (including Benedetto Varchi, Agnolo Bronzino and Laura Battiferri). The compiler of this volume was probably Jacopo Giunta, who signed the preface; Borghini was in charge of the paintings made for the funeral. For Varchi's funeral oration on this occasion, see lot 630.

There are two issues of this work recorded, one with the original date for the funeral, as here, and one with 14 July, the date that the funeral service was actually held. It is thought that Giunta printed the sheets in advance of the funeral date, then reprinted the first two quires with the correct date of the funeral on the title-page.

The binding is plausibly reused from a volume in the Lamoignon library, as the library label with the shelfmark Q is visible beneath the modern pastedown.

4to (188 x 123 mm). Roman and italic type, 37 lines. Collation: A-E4 F2: 22 leaves. Woodcut printer's device on title-page, woodcut initials. (Title-page soiled, small stain on first two leaves, other light staining.)

Binding: Later binding of limp vellum (195 x 134 mm), reused from a thicker volume, blue painted strip around spine, modern pastedowns. (Sewing not very even with some gaps showing between quires.)

Acquisition: Purchased in 1989 from Leona Rostenberg, New York. References: Edit16 18289; Pettas 391