The Visions of Don Francisco De Quevedo Villegas, Knight of the Order of St. James
London: Printed by W. B. for Richard Sare at Gray's-Inn-Gate in Holborn, 1708. Tenth Corrected. Hardcover. 8vo. 282 + 2 pp. of advertisements. Leather boards with decorative etching and raised bands on spine. Francisco Gómez de Quevedo y Santibáñez Villegas (1580 - 1645) poet and master satirist of Spain's Golden Age, who, as a virtuoso of language, is unequaled in Spanish literature. -(Encyclopedia Britanica Online). He was born in Madrid and his political vocation as well as colorful life contributed to the forming of his complex and contrasting personality. His poetry reflects the most spiritual tendencies along with the most base and crude feelings. Jokes appear alongside more serious attitudes, and moral philosophy alongside the most ingenious vulgarity. Orphaned by the age of six, he was able to attend the Imperial School run by the Jesuits in Madrid. He then attended university at Alcalá de Henares from 1596 to 1600. In 1601, Quevedo, as a member of the Spanish Royal Court, moved to Valladolid, where the Court had been transferred by the King's minister, the Duke of Lerma. There he studied theology, a subject that will be a lifelong interest, and on which in later life he will compose the treatise “Providencia de Dios” (God's Providence), against atheism. He was also a political moralist. His works included comedies, satires, poetry and novels. Much of his work is related to religion, or at least had religion or metaphysical overtones, probably because his education in theology, logic, metaphysics, and physics. A polyglot, among the many languages he could speak were Greek, Latin, Hebrew, French, Italian, and English (aside from Spanish, of course). A fair amount of scuffing to boards due to age, front board is detached but present. Lovely decorative endpapers. Binding in poor condition, interior in good - very good condition. fair. Item #18682
Price: $375.00