Vita Aesopi

Art Historical Context

This 1492 printed edition of *Vita Aesopi* brings the ancient Greek storyteller’s life to Renaissance readers through the emerging technology of the printing press. Created by Francesco Del Tuppo and printed by Manfredus de Bonellis, the book combines text with lively woodcut illustrations that depict dramatic scenes of battles, men and women, male nudes, and horses. As an incunable—one of the earliest books printed with movable type—it marks a pivotal moment when classical literature moved from handwritten manuscripts into the hands of a wider audience. The woodcuts serve both decorative and narrative purposes, capturing the energy and moral drama of Aesop’s tales. Their bold lines and dynamic compositions reflect the artistic conventions of late-fifteenth-century Italian book illustration, where images helped convey stories to readers who might not have been fully literate. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Rogers Fund in 1920, this volume now offers visitors a tangible connection to the vibrant exchange of ideas that shaped the early modern world.

About the Artist

Francesco Del Tuppo|Manfredus de Bonellis|Aesop (Greek|Italian|Italian) · -0620 |1443 | –-0560 |1501 |

Greek, ca. 620–560 BCE|Italian, 1443/44–1501|