Hypnerotomachia: The Strife of Loue in a Dreame (eBook)

Francesco Colonna (1433-1527), a reputed Dominican monk and priest from Venice, is traditionally credited with authoring the enigmatic work 'Hypnerotomachia Poliphili' (from Greek hýpnos, sleep; éros, love; and máchē, battle), translated into English as 'Hypnerotomachia: The Strife of Love in a Dream'. Published in 1499, this complex allegorical romance combines eroticism with Renaissance architecture, landscape, and garden design, reflecting the eclectic cultural currents of its time. Colonna's text is lauded for its rich language and the elaborate woodcuts that adorn its pages, illustrating a fictional quest of Poliphilus as he endeavors to find his love, Polia. Written in a unique and arcane blend of Latin vocabulary and Italian syntax, the book has intrigued scholars and aesthetes for centuries, offering an early example of 'mise en abyme' and a myriad of mythological and historical references. The book remains a revered artifact of early printing and is often cited in discussions of typographical beauty and Renaissance thought. Despite Colonna's contribution to literature, much of his life remains shrouded in mystery, and some question the authorship of 'Hypnerotomachia Poliphili' due to a lack of contemporary documentation linking him directly to the work. Nonetheless, if accepted as the author, his influence on the fabric of Renaissance literature and art is undeniable (Godwin, 1999).