Aldus Manutius, Italian printer
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Aldus Manutius, Italian printer
Aldus Manutius (1449-1515), Italian humanist printer. Mauntius was born Teobaldo Mannucci in Bassiano near Rome. He was educated as a humanistic scholar, studying the classics of Latin and Greek. In 1482 he went to study at Mirandola with his friend Giovanni Pico. Two years later he moved to Carpi having been given funds to establish a printing press there by Picos nephews whom he was to tutor. Manutius was famous for his octavo book format, roughly the size of the modern paperback, that a gentleman could easily carry with him. The first such book was Virgils Opera, printed in 1501. Manutius commissioned the first italic type in order to compress text for these smaller books. He is also believed to have invented the semicolon; his grandson eventually produced a book on punctuation. This woodcut comes from van Opmeers Opus chronographicum orbis universi published at Antwerp in 1611
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Media ID 6295907
© MIDDLE TEMPLE LIBRARY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1400s 1500s 15th 16th Century Book Elder Humanist Inventor Renaissance Typography Vertical Wood Cut Aldus Manutius Mono Chrome Typographer
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Aldus Manutius, an influential Italian printer and humanist of the 15th and 16th centuries. Born as Teobaldo Mannucci in Bassiano near Rome, Manutius received a comprehensive education in Latin and Greek classics, immersing himself in the world of humanistic scholarship. In 1482, he embarked on a journey to study with his close friend Giovanni Pico at Mirandola. Later on, he moved to Carpi after being granted funds by Pico's nephews to establish his own printing press there. Manutius gained widespread recognition for his innovative octavo book format - compact enough for gentlemen to conveniently carry around - which revolutionized the publishing industry. The first publication utilizing this format was Virgil's Opera in 1501. To accommodate text within these smaller books, Manutius commissioned the creation of italic typeface, effectively compressing information without sacrificing legibility. Beyond his contributions to typography and book design, Manutius is also credited with inventing the semicolon; such was his impact that even his grandson authored a book solely dedicated to punctuation. This monochrome woodcut image originates from van Opmeer's Opus chronographicum orbis universi published in Antwerp during 1611. It beautifully captures Aldus Manutius' elder years during the Renaissance period when he left an indelible mark as both a typographer and humanist scholar.
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