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Dante's Inferno First Edition Proof Print: Canto XV (Brunetto), 1978 - 1979

 Item — Folder: 85
Identifier: CC-28340-29521

Scope and Contents

This print is from the first version of the work which was mostly destroyed in a fire at Editions Alecto. Less than three copies of the prints from the first version survived. Tom Phillips annotated this print which he reproduced in the final version of Dante's Inferno. The calligraphic, Italian text of the poem on the bottom left corner of this Editions Alecto print was eliminated in the Talfourd Press version. Phillips' commentary in the Thames and Hudson edition of Dante's Inferno iconographical notes and commentary reads, "in a welter of fire Ser Brunetto [Dante's teacher Brunetto Latini] races away across the plain. The figure is from a watercolour that I made from one of Muybridge's indispensable photo sequences from 'The Human Figure in Motion.' Dante's teacher is here seen as if heading for the cloth of green mentioned at the end of the Canto as the prize in a foot-race (in which indeed the runners are naked). The green echoes the shape once again of the lawn of a 'Folly for Wisdom' to show the immorality as poet and savant to which Ser Brunette seems to aspire." Text in the upper right corner that is taken from 'A Humument' fragment reads, "Document one little I on paper. still lives my little treasure all we selves in the wood." -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Dates

  • Creation: 1978 - 1979

Creator

Extent

0 See container summary (1 print (silkscreen)) ; 39 x 29 cm

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Physical Location

flat files

Custodial History

The Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry, gift of Ruth and Marvin A. Sackner and the Sackner Family Partnership.

General

Published: London, England : Editions Alecto. Signed by: Tom Phillips (l.r.). Nationality of creator: British. General: About 2 total copies. General: Added by: RED; updated by: MARVIN.

Repository Details

Part of the The Ruth and Marvin Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry Repository

Contact:
125 W. Washington St.
Main Library
Iowa City Iowa 52242 United States
319-335-5921