Al Sacratissimo Re d'Inghilterra il secondo libro de le lettre

8vo. 591 (i.e. 595), (13) pp. (with errors in the pagination). A-Z, AA-PP⁸. With the printer's device on the title-page and the portrait of the author on the verso of the last leaf. Old vellum over boards, red edges, with the contemporary entry of ownership of ‘W. Waad. Venetiae 1579', i.e. William Waad (1546-1623), clerk of the council, diplomatist, and lieutenant of the Tower of London.

Basso, p. 42; Edit 16, CNCE 2441; Index Aurelienis, 107.080; Quondam, p. 287; P. Aretino, Lettere, P. Procaccioli, ed., (Roma, 1998), Tomo II, Libro II, pp. 461-463; F.M. Bertolo, Aretino e la stampa. Strategie di autopromozione a Venezia nel Cinquecento, (Roma, 2003), pp. 88-90; S. Casali, Annali della tipografia veneziana di Francesco Marcolini, (Forlì, 1861), pp. 141-145, no. 63.

FIRST EDITION, of which are extant two different issues printed one shortly after the other with substantial modifications to a few letters. Of the first issue only two copies are known (Bologna and Nuremberg). In the present, three new letters were introduced and some lines were omitted in the dedication to Henry VIII (see below) (cf. F.M. Bertolo, Aretino e la stampa. Strategie di autopromozione a Venezia nel Cinquecento, Roma, 2003, p. 84-88).

“Io entro in questo discorso, perché le prime lettere che in lingua nostra siano state imprese, nascon da me; che godo, mentre mi sento trafiggere circa l'arte de l'imitazione” (P. Aretino, Lettere, P. Procaccioli, ed., Roma, 1999, Tomo III, p. 38). The first evidence of a plan to publish a collection of Aretino's letters appears in his letter to Francesco Marcolini (June 22, 1537), in which he says “these few letters that have been collected through the love that my youngsters feel for the things that I do”. Since spring 1537 Aretino had begun to keep copies or minutes of what he wrote. This is also suggested by the actual character of the printed letters. The vast majority of those written before that time are either addressed to very prominent people, such as rulers, or are concerned with substantial gifts made to him. But from May 1537 on, there are far more letters to friends and acquaintances about matters of a less practical kind, in other words the sort of letter of which he had not hitherto had any reason to preserve copies. Printing was delayed until September, because Marcolini had to turn his attention to the publishing of Serlio's Regole generali d'architettura. The printing of the letters seems to have been completed at the end of December. The colophon is dated January 1538, but various letters published in the present second volume indicate that Aretino was sending copies around at the beginning of the year. In the same year a second edition was published by Marcolini, and at least five editions were produced by other Venetian publishers. Marcolini's edition was reprinted in-octavo in 1542. Aretino felt that a new literary genre was born. Five other book were to follow within twenty years totaling a number of over four thousand letters (cf. G. Baldassari, L'invenzione dell'epistolario, in: “Pietro Aretino nel cinquecentenario della nascita. Atti del Convegno di Roma-Viterbo-Arezzo 28 settembre-1 ottobre 1992, Toronto 23-24 ottobre 1992, Los Angeles 27-29 ottobre 1992”, Roma, 1995, pp. 157-178).

The project of the publication of a second volume of his letters is mentioned by Aretino in a letter to Jacopo Cassola (Venezia, June 23, 1538, p. 52). On September 1, 1541 Aretino in a letter to Lodovico Dolce (p. 417), entrusted the latter with the editing of the collection sending him the manuscript (“I send you the book, with the freedom to add or delete neither more or less than seems appropriate to the loftiness of your faithful judgement”) (cf. R.H. Terpening, Lodovico Dolce Renaissance Man of Letters, Toronto, 1997, p. 189). The printing was accomplished in August 1542, with a dedication to King Henry VIII of England. This dedication could be read as one of Aretino's more daring exercises in challenging the authority of the Roman church, and by so deliberately endorsing the most prominent heretical monarch of the moment, he risked more than contamination by association, a fact that perhaps served as one part of the rationale that relegated his collected works to the Index of 1559, a few years after his death. Henry VIII appreciated this token of approbation from Italy's most celebrated living literary figure, and made him a gift of 300 ‘scudi', a sum Aretino, who had hoped for an even more substantial reward (one of the numerous ecclesiastical benefices Henry had at his disposal after the suppression of the monasteries), nevertheless experienced some difficulty in actual collecting. However, (as is evident from the earlier version of the dedication – see above), Aretino purged his letter to the king, evidently having concluded, also in view of a cardinal's hat he aimed at, that to mitigate his admiration was a more prudent strategy (cf. J.C. D'Amico, Aretino tra Inghilterra e impero: una dedica costata cara e una lettera non pubblicata, in: “Filologia e critica”, 1, 2005, pp. 72-94; and C. Schiavon, Una via d'accesso agli epistolari. Le dediche dei libri di lettere d'autore nel Cinquecento. Prima parte, in: “Margini. Giornale della dedica e altro”, 3, 2009, pp. 8-10).

[Dedication to Henry VIII]. Venezia, August 1, 1542 (p. 3)

[John III], King of Portugal. (p. 7)

Margaret [Duchess of Parma]. Venezia (p. 9)

[Medici, Cosimo de'], Duke of Florence. Venezia (p. 10)

[Rovere, Guidobaldo II della], Duke of Urbino. Venezia (p.11)

[Teodosio I], Duke of Braganza. Venezia (p. 12)

Infante Luis, [Duke of Beja]. Venezia (p. 13)

Pio, Beatrice. Venezia (p. 14)

Marmitta, Lodovico. Venezia (p. 15)

[Spira], Fortunio. Venezia (p. 16)

Rovere, Guidobaldo II della. Venezia, December 29, 1538 (p. 17)

Varchi, Benedetto. Venezia, January 1, 1538 (p. 17)

[Colonna, Vittoria], Marquise of Pescara. Venezia, January 5, 1538 (p. 18)

Buonleo, Nicolò. Venezia, January 6, 1538 (p. 19)

Castaldo, Giovanni Battista. Venezia, January 7, 1538 (p.20)

[Colonna, Vittoria], Marquise of Pescara. Venezia, January 9, 1538 (p. 21)

Maggi, Lodovico dei. Venezia, January 10, 1538 (p. 22)

Buonarotti, Michelangelo. Venezia, January 20, 1538 (p. 22)

Signorelli, Bino. Venezia, February 3, 1538 (p. 23)

[Stampa, Massimiliano], Marquis of Soncino. Venezia, April, 5, 1538 (p. 24)

Cavaliere C[icogna, Giovan Pietro?]. Venezia, April 10, 1538 (p. 25)

Tucca, [Gian Tommaso]. Venezia, April 18, 1538 (p. 26)

Francis I, King of France. Venezia, May 1, 1538 (p. 27)

[Arsago, Girolamo], Bishop of Nice. Venezia, May 4, 1538 (p. 29)

Lorraine, [Jean de], Cardinal. Venezia, June 5, 1538 (p. 31)

Conti, Domenico dei. Venezia, June 5, 1538 (p. 31)

Alberto Musico [Alberto da Mantova]. Venezia, June 6, 1538 (p. 32)

Peres, Gonzalo. Venezia, June 6, 1538 (p. 32)

[Sanseverino, Bernardino], Prince of Bisignano. Venezia, June 8, 1538 (p. 33)

Venier, Domenico and Badoer, Federico. Venezia, June 9, 1538 (p. 24)

Malatesta, Ginevra. Venezia, June 10, 1538 (p. 35)

Monsignor da la Barba [Castellari, Bernardino]. Venezia, June 11, [1538] (p. 37)

Varchi, Benedetto. Venezia, June 11, 1538 (p. 39)

Harvel, Edmund. Venezia, June 12, 1538, (p. 40)

Rota, Pier Andrea. Venezia, June 15, 1538 (p. 41)

Caula, Camillo di. Venezia, June 16, 1538 (p. 42)

Dandolo, Antonio. Venezia, June 17, 1533 (i.e 1538) (p. 43)

Orsini, Camillo. Venezia, June 17, 1538 (p. 44)

Grimani, Andrea. Venezia, June 18, 1538 (p. 46)

[Marullo, Giovanni], Earl of Condojanni. Venezia, June 19, 1538 (p. 47)

Beltrami, Giovanna. Venezia, June 20, 1538 (p. 48)

Bacco. Venezia, June 20, 1538 (p. 49)

[Sanseverino, Ferrante], Prince of Salerno. Venezia, June 20, 1538 (p. 50)

Castro, Lodovico de. Venezia, June 21, 1538 (p. 50)

Orsini, Valerio. Venezia, June 22, 1538 (p. 50)

Battistino da Parma. Venezia, June 22, 1538 (p. 51)

Cassola, Jacopo. Venezia, June 23, 1538 (p. 52)

Bianco, Simone. Venezia, June 25, 1538 (p. 53)

Orsini, Valerio. Venezia, June 26, 1538 (p. 58)

Cicogna, [Giovan Pietro]. Venezia, June 27, 1538 (p. 59)

Giannarini, Roberto. Venezia, June 28, 1538 (p. 59)

Castaldi, Giovanni Battista. Venezia, June 29, 1538 (p. 61)

Speroni, [Sperone]. Venezia, July 1, 1538 (p. 63)

[Isabella of Portugal], Empress. Venezia, July 2, 1538 (p.65)

Vitelli, Alessandro. Venezia, July 3, 1538 (p. 67)

Ricchi, Agostino. Venezia, July 3, 1538 (p. 68)

Medici, Ottaviano de'. Venezia, July 4, 1538 (p. 70)

Cibo, [Innocenzo]. Venezia, July 5, 1538 (p.71)

[Avalos, Alfonso d'], Marquis of Vasto. Venezia, July 7, 1538 (p.73)

Orsini, Paolo. Venezia, July 10, 1538 (p. 74)

Vitali, Alessandro. Venezia, July 11, 1538 (p. 74)

A i frati [to the friars]. Venezia, July 12, 1538 (p. 75)

[Vasari], Giorgio. Venezia, July 15, 1538 (p. 76)

Livrieri, Vincenzo. Venezia, July 16, 1538 (p. 78)

[Ghetti], Andrea Volterano. Venezia, July 20, 1538 (p. 79)

Ricchi, Agostino. Venezia, August 5, 1538 (p. 80)

Thesauriero di Loreno [Mellin, Antoine?]. Venezia, August 12, 1538 (p. 80)

Vitelli, Gentilina. Venezia, August 13, 1538 (p. 81)

Salis, Giambattista. Venezia, August 13, 1538 (p. 83)

Carubino di Benedetto. Venezia, August 14, 1538 (p. 84)

Lazzara, Marietta di. Venezia, August 14, 1538 [p. 85)

Gonzaga, Luigi. Venezia, August 21, 1538 (p. 87)

Lorenzo da Modena. Venezia, August 22, 1538 (p. 88)

Livrieri, Cecilia. Venezia, August 25, 1538 (p. 89)

Costanzo, Scipione. Venezia, August 26, 1538 (p. 90)

Cuppano, Lucantonio. Venezia, August 28, 1538 (p. 91)

Adriano da Perugia. Venezia, August 28, 1538 (p. 92)

Medici, Mucchio de'. Venezia, August 30, 1538 (p. 92)

Udone, Andrea. Venezia, August 30, 1538 (p. 93)

Girifalcone, [Luigi]. Venezia, September 6, 1538 (p. 95)

Teodoli, Bernardino. Venezia, September 12, 1538 (p. 96)

Bembo, Pietro. Venezia, October 5, 1538 (p. 97)

[Francis I], King of France. Venezia, October 7, 1538 (p. 99)

Giovio, [Paolo]. Venezia, October 11, 1538 (p. 100)

Cesano, Gabriello. Venezia, October 25, 1538 (p. 102)

[Della Rovere, Guidobaldo II]. Venezia, November 15, 1538 (p. 103)

[Colonna, Vittoria]. Venezia, November 19, 1538 (p. 104)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, November 19, 1538 (p. 105)

[Stampa, Massimiliano]. Venezia, November 20, 1538 (p. 105)

Taddei, Buongianni. Venezia, December 15, 1538 (p. 105)

Cesano, Gabriello. Venezia, December 21, 1538 (p. 107)

Soria, Lope [de]. Venezia, January 15, 1539 (p. 109)

A lo Imperatore [Charles V] ne la morte del Duca d'Urbino [Della Rovere, Francesco Maria] (poem, p. 110)

[Cles, Bernardo]. Venezia, March 4, 1539 (p. 116)

Castillejo, [Cristoval]. Venezia, March 5, 1539 (p. 117)

Martelli, Nicolò. Venezia, March 16, 1539 (p. 118)

Nelli, Giustiniano. Venezia, March 20, 1539 (p. 119)

[Cles, Bernardo]. Venezia, March 21, 1539 (p. 122)

Palogio, [Camillo]. Venezia, [March 25], 1539 (p. 124)

[Pope Paul III]. Venezia, April 21, 1539 (p. 125)

Meschino [Albicante, Giovanni Alberto]. Venezia, April 29, 1539 (p. 128).

Martelli, Ugolino. Venezia, May 5, 1539 (p. 129)

[Cles, Bernardo]. Venezia, May 29, 1539 (p. 130)

Avila [y Zuñiga], Luis [de]. Venezia, May 31, 1539 (p. 132)

[Charles V]. Venezia, May 31, 1539 p. 134)

[Vergerio, Pier Paolo]. Venezia, June 1, 1539 (p. 136)

Pastor Passonico. Venezia, June 6, 1539 (p. 137)

Caccia, Giovanni Agostino. Venezia, June 6, 1539 (p. 139)

Alberto Musico [Alberto da Mantova]. Venezia, June 14, 1539 (p. 140)

[Ghetti, Andrea]. Venezia, June 15, 1539 (p. 142)

Panciatichi, Bartolomeo. Venezia, June 16, 1539 (p. 143)

Dolce, Lodovico. [Venezia], June 19, 1539 (p. 144)

Bacci, Gualtiero. Venezia, June 20, 1539 (p. 145)

[Ghetti, Andrea]. Venezia, June 30, 1539 (p. 149)

Albicante, [Giovanni Alberto]. Venezia, July 2, 1539, (p. 150)

Gritti, Francesco. Venezia, July 4, 1539 (p. 151)

Fontenella, Girolama. Venezia, July 6, 1539 (p. 153)

Medici, Ottaviano de'. Venezia, July 10, 1539 (p. 157)

[Leoni], Lione. Venezia, July 11, 1539 (p. 158)

[Sforza, Bona]. Venezia, July 12, 1539 (p. 160)

Ferdinand [of Austria]. Venezia, July 13, 1539 (p. 163)

Castillejo, [Cristoval]. Venezia, July 15, 1539 (p. 164)

Pesente, Alessandro. Venezia, July 17, 1539 (p. 165)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, September 20, 1539 (p. 168)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, September 21, 1539 (p. 171)

Vauzelles, Jean de. Venezia, September 23, 1539 (p. 171)

Castaldo, Giovanni Battista. Venezia, September 25, 1539 (p. 174)

Guicciardini, Giambattista. Venezia, September 27, 1539 (p. 175)

Giordano, Camillo. Venezia, September 29, 1539 (p. 176)

Stampa, Massimiliano. Venezia, October 3, 1539 (P. 177)

[Zápolya, Jànos (John I of Hungary)]. Venezia, October 4, 1539 (p. 177)

Dolce, Lodovico. Venezia, October 7, 1539 (p. 179)

Montacuto, Girolamo. Venezia, November 1, 1539 (p. 186)

[Lorraine, Jean de]. Venezia, November, 10, 1539 (p. 187)

[Aragona, Maria d']. Venezia, November 12, 1539 (p. 189)

[Acquaviva, Giannantonio]. Venezia, November 13, 1539 (p. 189)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, November 14, 1539 (p. 190)

Landi, Agostino. Venezia, November 15, 1539 (p. 171)

Coffienza, Cavalier. Venezia, November 12, 1539 (p. 193)

[Montmorency, Anne de]. Venezia, November 13, 1539 (p. 194)

[Francis I, King of France]. November 13, 1539 (p. 195)

Baïf, [Lazare de]. Venezia, November 13, 1539 (p. 196)

[Guidiccioni, Giovanni]. Venezia, December 12, 1539 (p. 197)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, December 25, 1539 (p. 200)

[Charles V]. Venezia, December 25, 1539 (p. 201)

[Gonzaga, Federico]. January 10, 1540 (p. 205)

Brachino. January 10, 1540 (p. 208)

Medici, Ottaviano de'. Venezia, January 11, 1540 (p. 209)

Verallo, Girolamo. Venezia, January 16, 1540 (p. 210)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, February 1, 1540 (p. 211)

Giovio, [Paolo]. Venezia, February 1, 1540 (p. 216)

Fedeli, Vincenzo. Venezia, February 6, 1540 (p. 218)

Costanzo, Scipione. Venezia, February 7, 1540 (p. 220)

Castaldo, Giovanni Battista. Venezia, February 8, 1540 (p. 222)

[Hurtado] de Mendoza, Diego. Venezia, February 10, 1540 (p. 222)

Gritti, Francesco, Venezia, February 11, 1540 (p. 223)

Calvo, Francesco. Venezia, February 16, 1540 (p. 224)

[Gonzaga, Federico]. Venezia, February 16, 1540 (p. 226)

Guidiccioni, [Giovanni]. Venezia, February 27, 1540 (p. 227)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, February 27, 1540 (p. 229)

Priscianese, Francesco. Venezia, February 26, 1540 (p. 232)

[Accolti, Benedetto]. Venezia, February 27, 1540 (p. 232)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, Carnival, 1540 (p. 233)

Ferdinand [of Austria]. February 18, 1540 (p. 234)

Coffienza, Cavalier. Venezia, February 19, 1540 (p. 237)

Interiano, Paolo. Venezia, Venezia, February 28, 1540 (p. 237)

Riccia, Marietta. Venezia, February 28, 1540 (p. 239)

Panciatichi, Bartolomeo. February 28, 1540 (p. 241)

Albicante, Giovanni Alberto. Venezia, March 1, 1540 (p. 242)

Orsini, Valerio. Venezia, March 7, 1540 (p. 245)

[Francis I, King of France]. Venezia, March 7, 1540 (p. 247)

[Gonzaga, Federico], Venezia, March 8, 1540 (p. 247)

[Da Passano], Giangioacchino. Venezia, March 8, 1540 (p. 249)

Coffienza, Cavalier. Venezia, March 9, 1540 (p. 251)

Cromwell, [Thomas]. Venezia, March 19, 1540 (p. 252)

Fregoso, Cesare. Venezia, March 21, 1540 (p. 254)

Marcheschi, Francesco. Venezia, March 27, 1540 (p. 256)

Sandella, Caterina. Venezia, March 27, 1540 (p. 257)

[Gonzaga, Federico]. Venezia, April 1, 1540 (p. 258)

[Trasontino], Alessandro. Venezia, April 7, 1540 (p. 259)

[Annebault, Claude d']. Venezia, April 10, 1540 (p. 260)

[Gonzaga, Federico]. Venezia, April 10, 1540 (p. 261)

Caro, Annibal. Venezia, [March 31], 1540 (p. 262)

Cicogna, [Gian Pietro]. Venezia, April 10, 1540 (p. 263)

Avila [y Zuñiga], Luis de. Venezia, April 12, 1540 (p. 264)

Priori di Perugia (to the Priors of Perugia). Venezia, April 25, 1540 (p. 266)

Idiagues, Alonso [de]. Venezia, April 28, 1540 (p. 269)

Gonzaga, Luigi. Venezia, May 18, 1540 (p. 269)

Bacci, Francesco. Venezia, May 19, 1540 (p. 271)

Medici, Cosimo de'. Venezia, May 20, 1540 (p. 271)

Ruggieri, Francesco. Venezia, May 31, 1540 (p. 272)

Rovero, Girolamo. Venezia, July 8, 1540 (p. 273)

Carsidoni, Antonio. Venezia, July 15, 1540 (p. 274)

Collalto, Manfredi di. Venezia, July 20, 1540 (p. 275)

Nicolò da Tiene. Venezia, August 19, 1540 (p. 276)

Buonleo, Nicolò. Venezia, August 15, 1540 (p. 278)

Agnelli, Giovanni. Venezia, August 10, 1540 (p. 279)

Marc'Antonio da Urbino. Venezia, August 16, 1540 (p. 281)

[Guidiccioni, Giovanni]. Venezia, August 17, 1540 (p. 282)

Sansovino, Francesco. Venezia, September 16, 1540 (p. 284)

Bonci, Nicolò. Venezia, September 18, 1540 (p. 286)

Montacuto, Signorotto. Venezia, September 19, 1540 (p. 288)

[Medici, Cosimo de']. Venezia, September 25, 1540 (p. 289)

Donato, Francesco. Venezia, October 7, 1540 (p. 290)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. October 25, 1540 (p. 291)

Camaiani, Francesco. Venezia, November 4, 1540 (p. 293)

[Turrini, Giovanni de']. Venezia, November 9, 1540 (p. 294)

Nelli, Giustiniano. Venezia, November 15, 1540 (p. 296)

Di Cesare, Gennaro. Venezia, November 20, 1540 (p. 297)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, November 20, 1540 (p. 299)

Lambertini, Alessandro. Venezia, November 21, 1540 (p. 301)

[Aragona, Maria d']. Venezia, November 22, 1540 (p. 302)

Verallo, Girolamo. Venezia, November 25, 1540 (p. 304)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, November 26, 1540 (p. 307)

Priscianese, Francesco. Venezia, November 27, 1540 (p. 309)

Marcolini, Francesco. Venezia, December 28, 1540 (p. 312)

Priscianese, Francesco. Venezia, November 28, 1540 (p. 314)

Zanco, Giovanni Crisostomo. Venezia, November 29, 1540 (p. 315)

Manfroni, Gianpaolo. Venezia, November 30, 1540 (p. 316)

Avila [y Zuñiga], Luis de. Venezia, November 30, 1540 (p. 318)

Orsini, Valerio. Venezia, November 30, 1540 (p. 319)

Da Castello, Antonio. Venezia, December 1, 1540 (p. 320)

Bonifacio da Narni. Venezia, December 2, 1540 (p. 321)

Franci, Meo. Venezia, December 3, 1540 (p. 324)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, December 10, 1540 (p.327)

[Paleologo, Margherita]. Venezia, December 10, 1540 (p. 328)

Santa Giuliana, Giovanni. Venezia, December 12, 1540 (p. 330)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. December 12, 1540 (p. 332)

[Vasari], Giorgio. Venezia, December 15, 1540 (p. 334)

Stampa, Massimiliano. Venezia, December 16, 1540) (p. 336)

Piccolomini, Alessandro. Venezia, December 16, 1540 (p. 338)

Orfini, Francesco [degli]. Venezia, December 19, 1540 (p. 340)

Vitali, Francesco. Venezia, December 22, 1540 (p. 341)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, December 22, 1540 (p. 343)

Molino, Nicolò. Venezia, December 25, 1540 (p. 344)

Anichini, Luigi. Venezia, December 30, 1540 (p. 346)

Sansovino, Jacopo. Venezia, January 13, 1541 (p. 347)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, January 20, 1541 (p. 348)

Moccia, Bernardino. Venezia, January 23, 1541 (p. 350)

Bacci, Francesco. Venezia, January 25, 1541 (p. 351)

Palazzo, [Taddeo]. Venezia, February 15, 1541 (p. 352)

Girolamo da Este. Venezia, February 17, 1541 (p. 353)

Boner, Severin. Venezia, February 17, 1541 (p. 354)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, February 15, 1541 (p. 356)

Idiagues, [Alonso de]. Venezia, March 9, 1541 (p. 357)

[Medici, Cosimo de']. Venezia, March 17, 1541 (p. 357)

Tolomei, Claudio. Venezia, March 17, 1541 (p. 359)

[Medici, Cosimo de']. Venezia, March 23 (p. 361)

Accademici Infiammati di Padova. Venezia, March 29, 1541 (p. 363)

[Khair ad-din] Barbarossa. Venezia, April 1, 1541 (p. 365)

Stampa, Massimiliano. Venezia, April 2, 1541 (p. 367)

Nicandro, [Ambrosio]. Venezia, April 3, 1541 (p. 368)

[Medici], Cosimo [de']. Venezia, April 7, 1541 (p. 365bis)

Moccia, Bernardino. Venezia, April 17, 1541 (p. 367bis)

[Charles V]. Venezia, April 26, 1541 (p. 368bis)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, April 27, 1541 (p. 371)

Huesca, Pedro de. Venezia, April 29, 1541 (p. 373)

[Cuppano], Lucantonio. Venezia, April 29, 1541 (p. 374)

Domenichi, Lodovico. Venezia, May 2, 1541 (p. 376)

Duarte, Francisco. Venezia, May 15, 1541 (p. 377)

[Carafa, Ferrante]. Venezia, May 15, 1541 (p. 378)

Castaldo, Giovanni Battista. Venezia, May 20, 1541 (p. 379)

Tolomei, Claudio. Venezia, May 23, 1541 (p. 380)

Pigna, [Nicolò]. Venezia, July 5, 1541 (p. 383)

Salviati, Giuliano. Venezia, July 6, 1541 (p. 384)

Padovano, [Federigo del]. Venezia, July 7, 1541 (p. 385)

Martelli, Vincenzo. Venezia, July 9, 1541 (p. 386)

Doria, Andrea. Venezia, July 13, 1541 (p. 388)

[Leoni], Lione. Venezia, July 113, 1541 (p. 390)

[Accolti, Benedetto]. Venezia, July 28, 1541 (p. 391)

[Gonzaga, Ercole]. Venezia, July 28, 1541 (p. 392)

[Farnese, Ottavio]. Venezia, July 29, 1541 (p. 394)

Marco da Lodi. Venezia, July 31, 1541 (p. 395)

Capitano Ad[riano da Perugia]. Venezia, August 1, 1541 (p. 396)

Tingi, Bartolomeo. Venezia, August 10, 1541 (p. 397)

Ferraguto di Lazzara. Venezia, August 12, 1541 (p. 398)

Romero, Alonso. Venezia, August 12, 1541 (p. 401)

[Sanseverino, Ferrante]. Venezia, August 13, 1541 (p. 402)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, August 14, 1541 (p. 403)

Avila [y Zuñiga], Luis de. Venezia, August 15, 1541 (p. 403)

Comitolo, Girolamo. Venezia, August 16, 1541 (p. 404)

[Charles V]. Venezia, August 17, 1541 (p. 405)

Castaldo, Giovanni Battista. Venezia, August 17, 1541, (p. 406)

Turrini, Giovanni de'. Venezia, August 25, 1541 (p. 407)

[Du Bellay, Guillaume]. Venezia, August 25, 1541 (p. 408)

Camaiani, Giovanni Francesco. Venezia, August 26, 1541 (p. 409)

Barba, [Pompeo] della. Venezia, August 26, 1541 (p. 411)

[Farnese, Pier Luigi]. Venezia, August 28, 1541 (p. 414)

Vicario di San D. Venezia, August 29, 1541 (p. 415)

Dolce, Lodovico. Venezia, September 1, 1541 (p. 416)

Poggio, Dino di. Venezia, September 3, 1541 (p. 418)

Giovanni da Udine. Venezia, September 5, 1541 (p. 420)

Lazioso, Antonio. Venezia, October 2, 1541 (p. 421)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, October 6, 1541 (p. 422)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, October 6, 1541 (p. 423)

[Rossi], Pier Maria de'. Venezia, October 9, 1541 (p. 423)

[Cuppano], Lucantonio. Venezia, October 10, 1541 (p. 425)

Camaiani, Giovanni Francesco. Venezia, October 10, 1541 (p. 426)

[Corso], Pietro. Venezia, October 12, 1541 (p. 429)

Idiagues, [Alonso de]. Venezia, October 13, 1541 (p. 430)

Stufa, Pandolfo della. Venezia, October 22, 1541 (p. 430)

Firenzuola, Agnolo. Venezia, October 26, 1541 (p. 431)

Pisani, [Francesco]. Venezia, November 3, 1541 (p. 433)

Serfino, Bernardino. Venezia, November 3, 1541 (p. 434)

Albergotti, Francesco. Venezia, November 4, 1541 (p. 436)

Borro, Mariano. Venezia, November 6, 1541 (p. 437)

Appoloni, Matteo. Venezia, November 6, 1541 (p. 439)

Nicandro di Toledo. Venezia, October 9, 1541 (p. 440)

Pigna, [Nicolò]. Venezia, November 11, 1541 (p. 441)

Barba, [Pompeo] della. Venezia, November 13, 1541 (p. 442)

[Accolti, Benedetto]. Venezia, December 19, 1541 (p. 443)

Trotti, Nicola. Venezia, December 20 (p. 445)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, January 12, 1542 (p. 446)

[Charles V]. Venezia, January 15, 1542 (p. 446)

Rangone, Lodovico. Venezia, January 20, 1542 (p. 448)

[Leonardi, Gian Jacopo]. Venezia, February 2, 1542 (p. 448)

Ruberti, Lucrezia. Venezia, February 3, 1542 (p. 449)

Saracino, [Gian] Francesco del. Venezia, February 5, 1542 (p. 450)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, February 13, 1542 (p. 451)

Calvo, [Francesco]. Venezia, February 17, 1542 (p. 451)

Gonzaga, Galeazzo. Venezia, February 22, 1542 (p. 452)

Caula, Pellegrina [di]. Venezia, March 1, 1542 (p. 452)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, March 2, 1542 (p. 453)

Madonna G. Venezia, March 9, 1542 (p. 453)

Marcello, [Antonio]. Venezia, March 10, 1542 (p. 455)

Fanzino, Sigismondo. Venezia, March 11, 1542 (p. 456)

Strozzi, Piero. Venezia, March 10, 1542 (p. 457)

[Sanseverino, Ferrante]. Venezia, March 12, 1542 (p. 459)

Caravia, Alessandro. Venezia, March 12, 1542 (p. 459)

[Avalos, Alfonso d']. Venezia, March 15, 1542 (p. 460)

[Rovere], Guidobaldo [II della]. Venezia, March 20, 1452 (p. 462)

Franciotti, Nicolò. Venezia, March 15, 1542 (p. 463)

[Corner, Andrea]. Venezia, March 17, 1542 (p. 464)

[Medici, Cosimo de']. Venezia, March 19, 1542 (p. 465)

Soria, Lope de. Venezia, March 20, 1542 (p. 466)

Camaiani, Onofrio. March 20, 1542 (p. 467)

Predicatore (to a preacher). Venezia, March 25, 1542 (p. 468)

[Lionardi, Gian Jacopo]. Venezia, March 25, 1542 (p. 468)

Montesdoca [de i Nobili], Piero. Venezia, March 27, 1542 (p. 468)

Peralta, Iñigo [de]. Venezia, March 27, 1542 (p. 469)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, March 29, 1542 (p. 471)

Pasquino. Venezia, April 2, 1542 (p. 472)

Faloppia, [Giovan Francesco]. Venezia, April 5, 1542 (p. 473)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, April 10, 1542 (p. 474)

Serlio, [Sebastiano]. Venezia, April 11, 1542 (p. 474)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, April 12, 1542 (p. 475)

S.G. Venezia, April 12, 1542 (p. 476)

[Francis I, King of France]. Venezia, April 13, 1542 (p. 477)

[Paulin de la Garde, Antoine]. Venezia, April 13, 1542 (p. 478)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, Venezia, April 17, 1542 (p. 479)

Bonucci, Agostino. Venezia, April 15, 1542 (p. 480)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, April 16, 1542 (p. 481)

Cirusico, Alessandro. Venezia, April 22, 1542 (p. 481)

Martelli, Vincenzo. Venezia, April 25, 1542 (p. 482)

[Rovero, Girolamo]. Venezia, May 1, 1542 (p. 482)

Faloppia, [Giovan] Francesco. Venezia, May 4, 1542 (p. 483)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, May 5, 1542, (p. 485)

Barbaro, Daniele. Venezia, May 6, 1542 (p. 485)

Ruscellai, Francesco. Venezia, May 8, 1542 (p. 486)

Trasuntino [degli Organi], Alessandro. Venezia, May 8, 1542 (p. 487)

Orsini, Leone. Venezia, May 10, 1542 (p. 487)

Guidi, Nicolò. Venezia, May 11, 1542 (p. 489)

[Cervini, Marcello]. Venezia, May 12, 1542 (p. 490)

Roveste, Anton de. Venezia, May 13, 1542 (p. 490)

Solitario, Gregorio. Venezia, May 15, 1542 (p. 491)

[Medici], Sisto. Venezia, May 16, 1542 (p. 492)

Brevio, Giovanni. Venezia, May 17, 1542 (p. 493)

Polcastro, Girolamo. Venezia, May 17, 1542 (p. 494)

Montese, Ferrante. Venezia, May 19, 1542 (p. 494)

[Angeli] Bargeo, Pietro. Venezia, May 20, 1542 (p. 496)

Bruno, Giantomaso. Venezia, May 21, 1542, (p. 497)

[Pennacchi], Girolamo. Venezia, May 22, 1542 (p. 497)

Valdambrino, Cesare. Venezia, May 23, 1542 (p. 498)

Dal Medico, Piero. Venezia, May 25, 1542 (p. 499)

Giolito, Gabriele. Venezia, June 1, 1542 (p. 501)

Ricoveri, Gregorio. Venezia, June 5, 1542 (p. 501)

Lecce, [Giovanni] da. Venezia, June 6, 1542 (p. 502)

Giallo, Jacopo del. Venezia, June 7, 1542 (p. 504)

Alamanni, Luigi. Venezia, June 10, 1542 (p. 504)

Rangone, Lodovico. Venezia, June 20, 1542 (p. 506)

Giulio Romano. Venezia, [June 1542] (p. 507)

Spina, Fidenzia. Venezia, June 21, 1542 (p. 508)

Della Stufa, Francesco and Della Stufa, Giambattista. Venezia, June 22, 1542 (p. 509)

Luzzasco, Paolo. Venezia, June 23, 1542 (p. 510)

Gambara, Veronica. Venezia, June 24, 1542 (p. 511)

Riccio, Daniello. Venezia, June 25, 1542 (p. 512)

Molza, [Francesco]. Venezia, June 24, 1542 (p. 513)

Filippo d'Asti. Venezia, June 27, 1542 (p. 514)

Terzo, Antonio. Venezia, July 2, 1542 (p. 515)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, June 29, 1542 (p. 516)

Shelley, Richard. Venezia, June 30,1542 (p. 518)

[Sanseverino, Ferrante]. Venezia, July 1, 1542 (p. 520)

[Cattaneo], Danese. Venezia, July 3, 1542 (p. 520)

Gallo, Antonio. Venezia, July 4, 1542 (p. 521)

Buldù, Andrea. Venezia, July 5, 1542 (p. 522)

[Vecellio], Tiziano. Venezia, July 6, 1542 (p. 523)

Dal Monte, Ranieri. Venezia, July 8, 1542 (p. 524)

[Este, Ercole de']. Venezia, July 9, 1542 (p. 525)

Leoni, Francesco. Venezia, July 10, 1542 (p. 529)

Manuzio, Paolo. Venezia, July 11, 1542 (p. 528)

Sormanno, Giambattista. Venezia, July 12, 1542 (p. 529)

Rota, Francesco. Venezia, July 13, 1542 (p. 530)

Rota, Cavalier. Venezia, July 14, 1542 (p. 531)

Oradini, Giulio. Venezia, July 15, 1452 (p. 531)

Alfan, Elia. Venezia, July 16, 1542 (p. 533)

Bragadino, Giulio. Venezia, July 17, 1542 (p. 535)

Brucioli, Antonio. Venezia, July 17, 1542 (p. 536)

[Piccolomini], Piccolomo. Venezia, July 18, 1542 (p. 537)

[Accorsi, Girolamo]. Venezia, July 19, 1542 (p. 538)

Venier, Lorenzo. Venezia, July 20, 1542 (p. 539)

Crivelli, Paolo. Venezia, July 21, 1542 (p. 540)

Caula, Pellegrina [di]. Venezia, July 22, 1542 (p. 541)

Piovano di Santo Apostolo. Venezia, July 13, 1542 (p. 541)

Coriolano, [Giambattista]. Venezia, July 24, 1542 (p. 543)

[Speroni], Sperone. Venezia, July 25, 1542 (p. 545)

Martinengo, Girolamo. Venezia, July 25, 1542 (p. 546)

Montevecchio, Giulio da. Venezia, July 25, 1542 (p. 547)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, July 25, 1542 (p. 548)

[Luetz, Gabriel de]. Venezia, July 16, 1542 (p. 549)

Colonna, Stefano. Venezia, July 27, 1542 (p. 550)

Gaddi, Nicolò. Venezia, July 28, 1542 (p. 552)

[Vasari], Giorgio. Venezia, July 29, 1542 (p. 553)

Abbondi, Agostino. Venezia, July 30, 1542 (p. 554)

Becci, Lodovico. Venezia, August 1, 1542 (p. 555)

[Paulin de la Garde, Antoine]. Venezia, August 2, 1542 (p. 556)

[Hurtado] de Mendoza, Diego. Venezia, August 2, 1542 (p. 556)

A.S. Venezia, August 3, 1542 (p. 558)

Capitan Grande. Venezia, August 3, 1542 (p. 559)

Torniello, Giambattista. Venezia, August 6, 1542 (p. 560)

Cellesi, Simone. Venezia, August 7, 1542 (p. 561)

Vitelli, Nicolò. Venezia, August 8, 1542 (p. 561)

[Paulin de la Garde, Antoine]. Venezia, August 9, 1542 (p. 562)

Gonzaga de' Rossi, Camilla. Venezia, August 10, 1542 (p. 563)

Abbondi, Agostino. Venezia, August 11, 1542 (p. 564)

Tranquillo, Ortensio. Venezia, August 12, 1542 (p. 565)

Gerini, Giulio. Venezia, August 13, 1542 (p. 566)

Mendoza, Bernardino de. Venezia, August 13, 1542 (p. 566)

Vanni, Piero. Venezia, August 14, 1542 (p. 568)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, August 15, 1542 (p. 569)

Domenico Fiorentino. Venezia, August 15, 1542 (p. 569)

Fabbri, Conte dei. Venezia, August 15, 1542 (p. 570)

[Hurtado] de Mendoza, Diego. Venezia, August 15, 1542 (p. 571)

Camaiani, Onofrio. Venezia, August 17, 1542 (p. 572)

Calcagnini, Alfonso. Venezia, August 18, 1542 (p. 573)

Rota, Signor. Venezia, August 19, 1542 (p. 573)

Betussi, Giuseppe. Venezia, August 20, 1542 (p. 574)

Salviati, Francesco. Venezia, August 20, 1542 (p. 575)

Manfroni, Giampaolo. Venezia, August 21, 1542 (p. 576)

Altieri, Baldassarre. Venezia, August 22, 1542 (p. 577)

Biondo, Michelangelo. Venezia, August 22, 1542 (p. 578)

Mendoza, Giovanni de. Venezia, August23, 1542 (p. 579)

[Pellicier, Guillaume]. Venezia, August 24, 1542 (p. 579)

Pangrazio da Empoli. Venezia, August 25, 1542 (p. 581)

Balbi, Francesco. Venezia, August 25, 1542 (p. 582)

Marcolini, Francesco. Venezia, August 26, 1542 (p. 582)

[Grimani, Marco]. Venezia, August 26, 1542 (p. 583)

[Cobos, Francisco de los]. Venezia, August 27, 1542 (p. 584)

[Donato, Giovanni]. Venezia, August 26, 1542 (p. 586)

Tasso, [Giovanni Battista del]. Venezia, August 26, 1542 (p. 587)

Saracino, [Gian] Francesco del. Venezia, August 16, 1542 (p. 587)

Mignanelli, [Fabio]. Venezia, August 27, 1542 (p. 589)

Marcolini, Francesco. Venezia, August 27, 1542 (p. 590)

Marcolini, Isabella. Venezia, August 28, 1542 (p. 591)

Pietro, the son of Tita Bonci and a cobbler named Luca Del Tura, was born in Arezzo in the momentous year 1492. With typical disregard for propriety, he sometimes claimed to be the bastard of the nobleman Luigi Bacci, who kept his mother as a mistress. In all his publications, however, he adopted the nom d'artiste Pietro Aretino. He received little education and lived, for some years poor and neglected, picking up such straps of information as he could. Still very young he was banished from Arezzo on account of a satirical sonnet which he composed against indulgences. About 1506 he moved to Perugia, where he obtained the protection of Francesco Bontempi. In that town he also got acquainted with many poets and painters, among them Agnolo Firenzuola, who became a partner in his many dissolute adventures. In those years he wrote a collection of poems, Opera nova (Venezia, Zoppino, 1512), his first published work. After a brief stay in Siena, where he was serving Agostino Chigi, he settled in Rome in 1517 and entered the refined court of Leo X. Like his friend Bernardo Accolti, called Unico Aretino, Pietro became soon very popular for his audacity and effrontery that made him both loved for the laugh and sympathy he communicated, and respected for fear of falling victim to his terrible satirical tongue. He was able to become the confidant of politicians and diplomats and close friend of artists and poets. From them he gathered a wealth of anecdotes and secrets, which he used to put himself at the center of Roman social life. Aretino had to flee briefly in 1524 after publishing some sonnets to go with a series of banned engravings by Giulio Romano showing positions adopted in love-making; and once more, this time permanently, in 1525, when the chief target of his pen, Bishop Gian Matteo Giberti - a man Clement could not afford to offend publicly - nearly succeeded in having him assassinated. To the end of the Roman period and the beginning of his stay in Mantua dates back the composition of an unfinished poem on the Gonzaga family, later published under the title Marfisa (1532).

In 1527 Aretino moved to Venice, where he remained for the rest of his life. There he became friend of the painters Jacopo Sansovino and Titian, who made the famous portrait of him later reproduced in many of his editions. In Venice Pietro could count on various protections and therefore live a very lavish and libertine life. He used to send more or less favorable predictions and laudatory or defamatory texts to mighty people all over Europe, according to his sympathies and the benefits he could get from them. They began to fear him and cover him with gifts and titles to enjoy the favor of his pen. In Venice Aretino started also publishing systematically his new writings in association with the typographer Francesco Marcolini: devotional works like I sette salmi de la penitenza di David (1534), Umanità di Cristo (1535), and Vita di Maria Vergine (1540); profane and scandalous texts like the celebrated Ragionamenti (1534-1536); comedies like Il Marescalco (1533), La Cortigiana (1534), L'Ipocrito (1542), La Talanta (1542), and Il Filosofo (1546). His most original creation inaugurated a new literary genre: a series of six books of letters, which were published from 1537 onwards. With these Aretino had achieved perhaps the most monumental act of self-production in early modern history. Though he was explicit in his condemnation of linguistic pedantry, the vigour, colour and inventiveness of his prose is the result of great care, usually well concealed beneath a surface of apparent spontaneity. His letters reveal him as a nimble thinker, a writer capable of expressing a wide range of feeling, a gifted and - for the time - uniquely sympathetic appreciator of the works of his artist friends, among whom Titian was prominent.

In the 1540s he quickly understood that the political and religious climate was rapidly changing. His production became exclusively religious and he began writing tragedies (Horatia, 1546) instead of comedies. Despite this new strategy he could not obtain the cardinal's hat he had aspired for so long. In 1553 he made his last trip to Rome in company of Guidobaldo, Duke of Urbino. In his last years he had to face the criticism of his former friend Anton Francesco Doni, which followed that, even harsher, expressed ten years earlier by Nicolò Franco, another of his former pupils. Aretino died in Venice in 1556. His death was due to apoplexy, but according to popular account, by falling over backward from his chair in a fit of laughter at an obscene story told him by his sister (cf. P. Larivaille, Pietro Aretino, Salerno, 1997, passim).