BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS. Opera omnia diuinae institutionis refertissima, accuratione iam denuo censura recognita ac reposita ...
Lione, Nicolas Petit - Jacques Giunta, 1538
A rare Lyon edition, printed by Nicolas Petit in collaboration with Giacomo Giunta. The magnificent red and black title page with a rich woodcut border bears a large illustrative woodcut device, within which appear, in red, the Giunta lily and the inscription 'Iacob. Giunti'. The volume contains all the works of the famous Saint of Clairvaux.
Oxford Dictionary: “Bernard, (1090-1153), Abbot of Clairvaux […] in 1112 with thirty other young noblemen of Burgundy, including his own brothers, he entered the monastery of Citeaux. When three years later he was bidden by the abbot, St. Stephen Karding, to choose a place for a new monastery, he established a house at Clairvaux, which under his direction soon became one of the chief centres of the Cistercian Order. Before long, Bernard was one of the most influential religious forces in Europe. In 1128 he acted as secretary to the Synod of Troyes and there obtained recognition for the Rules of the new order of Knights of Templar, which he is said himself to have drawn up... Bernard was above all a monk. The austerities and self-mortification which he practiced drew upon him the remonstrations of his friend, William of Champeaux, but they did not avail to change his manner of life ... his sermons give some suggestion, and extraordinarily intimate acquaintance with the Bible, and above all, a faith inspired by the sublimest mysticism.”
Index Aurel IV: 117.540; Baudrier XI: 451; Janauschek 484. No in Adams. No in BM.
See The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, p. 162
In-folio. 345x260 mm. Full stiff vellum, speckled edges. Leaves [32], 350 [i.e. 348], [76]. On the title page the indication ‘Excudebatur Lugduni Anno 1538’; within the printer’s device of N. Petit, the Giunta lily; on the colophon, at the end, “diligenti cura & industria Nicolai Petit artis impressioriae peritissimi, & bibliopolae Lugduni impressa. Anno … M.D.XXXVIII.” Woodcut publisher’s device on the title page in red and black within a beautiful decorative woodcut frame. Woodcut initials in the text. Text on two columns. Handwritten marginalia and underlining in red pastel. Various leaves with water stains and browning. Leaf Aa V with tears that affect the text. Fair copy.