Table Of ContentTh e Art of Executing Well
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Habent sua fata libelli
Early Modern Studies Series
General Editor
Michael Wolfe
St. John’s University
Editorial Board of Early Modern Studies
Elaine Beilin Raymond A. Mentzer
Framingham State College University of Iowa
Christopher Celenza Helen Nader
Johns Hopkins University University of Arizona
Miriam U. Chrisman Charles G. Nauert
University of Massachusetts, Emerita University of Missouri, Emeritus
Barbara B. Diefendorf Max Reinhart
Boston University University of Georgia
Paula Findlen Sheryl E. Reiss
Stanford University Cornell University
Scott H. Hendrix Robert V. Schnucker
Princeton Th eological Seminary Truman State University, Emeritus
Jane Campbell Hutchison Nicholas Terpstra
University of Wisconsin–Madison University of Toronto
Robert M. Kingdon Margo Todd
University of Wisconsin, Emeritus University of Pennsylvania
Ronald Love James Tracy
University of West Georgia University of Minnesota
Mary B. McKinley Merry Wiesner–Hanks
University of Virginia University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
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A
rt
THE
OF
Well
Rituals of Execution in Renaissance Italy
Edited by
Nicholas Terpstra
Early Modern Studies 1
Truman State University Press
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Copyright © 2008 Truman State University Press, Kirksville, Missouri USA
All rights reserved
tsup.truman.edu
Cover: Detail of miniatures demonstrating the stages of comforting, ca. 1480. Illuminated
manuscript, Compagnia del spedale de la morte, Bologna, Italy. Th e Pierpont Morgan
Library, New York. Gift J. P. Morgan (1867–1943), 1924. Ms. M 188, fol. 5r. Reproduced by
permission.
Cover design: Teresa Wheeler
Type: Warnock Pro © 2000 Adobe Systems Inc.; Minion Pro © 2000, 2002, 2004 Adobe
Systems Inc.
Printed by: Edwards Brothers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Th e art of executing well : rituals of execution in Renaissance Italy / Nicholas Terpstra, ed.
p. cm. — (Early modern studies ; v. 1)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-931112-87-1 (hardback : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-931112-88-8 (pbk. : alk.
paper)
1. Executions and executioners—Italy—History. I. Terpstra, Nicholas.
HV8551.A75 2008
364.660945'09031—dc22
2008034780
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any format by any means without
written permission from the publisher.
Th e paper in this publication meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the American
National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materi-
als, ANSI Z39.48–1992.
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For Adriano Prosperi
Mentor, colleague, friend
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Contents
List of Graphs, Illustrations, and Tables ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction: Th e Other Side of the Scaff old 1
Nicholas Terpstra
Contexts
Chapter 1 Scaff old and Stage: Comforting Rituals and Dramatic Traditions
in Late Medieval and Renaissance Italy 13
Kathleen Falvey
Chapter 2 Comforting with Song: Using Laude to Assist Condemned
Prisoners 31
Pamela Gravestock
Chapter 3 Mirror of a Condemned: Th e Religious Poems of Andrea Viarani 52
Alfredo Troiano
Chapter 4 In Your Face: Paintings for the Condemned in Renaissance Italy 79
Massimo Ferretti
Chapter 5 Consolation or Condemnation: Th e Debates on Withholding
Sacraments from Prisoners 98
Adriano Prosperi
Chapter 6 Th eory into Practice: Executions, Comforting, and Comforters
in Renaissance Italy 118
Nicholas Terpstra
Illustrations 159
Contemporary Texts
Chapter 7 Th e Bologna Comforters’ Manual
Comforting by the Books: Editorial Notes on the Bologna
Comforters’ Manual 183
Nicholas Terpstra
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Book 1 193
trans. Sheila Das
Book 2 246
trans. Sheila Das
Book 3: Laude and Prayers 276
trans. Sheila Das and Nicholas Terpstra
Book 4: Authorities 289
Nicholas Terpstra
Chapter 8 Luca della Robbia’s Narrative on the Execution of Pietro
Paolo Boscoli and Agostino Capponi 293
Alison Knowles Frazier
Chapter 9 Public Execution in Popular Verse: Th e Poems of Giulio
Cesare Croce 327
Meryl Bailey
Contributors 341
Index 345
Biblical Index 354
viii
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Graphs, Illustrations & Tables
Fig. 1 Anonymous, Execution of John the Baptist, ca. 1522 159
Fig. 2 Annibale Carracci, Th e Hanging, late 16th century 160
Fig. 3 Miniatures demonstrating the stages of comforting, ca. 1480 161
Fig. 4 Filippo Dolciati, Execution of Antonio Rinaldeschi, 1502 162
Fig. 5 Giulio Morina, Th e Death of the Prisoner Converted by the Saint,
ca. 1594 163
Fig. 6 Madonna of Mercy with Brothers of the Confraternity of
S. Maria della Morte, 1562 164
Fig. 7 Francesco da Rimini, St. Mary Magdalen with Sts. Jacob,
Margherita, Francis, Dominic, Petronio, and Christopher, ca. 1335 165
Fig. 8 Francesco da Rimini, Crucifi xion, ca. 1335 166
Fig. 9 Two Comforters with a Prisoner, late 15th century 167
Fig. 10 “Dalmasio,” Madonna and Child with Two Condemned, ca. 1336 168
Fig. 11 “Dalmasio,” Crucifi xion with Martyrdoms of Sts. Catherine
and John the Baptist, ca. 1336 169
Fig. 12 Cristoforo da Jacopo, Madonna and Child with Sts. Anthony
Abbot, James, Catherine, John the Baptist, and Two Condemned,
ca. 1395 170
Fig. 13 Cristoforo da Jacopo, Flagellation, Crucifi xion, and Martyrdoms
of Sts. Lorenzo and Biagio, ca. 1395 171
Fig. 14 Simone di Filippo [Simone dei Crocefi ssi], Madonna and Child
with Sts. Bartolomeo and James and Two Condemned, ca. 1390 172
Fig. 15 Simone di Filippo [Simone dei Crocefi ssi], Decapitation of
St. John the Baptist with St. Anthony of Abbot of Egypt,
ca. 1390 173
Fig. 16A, B Bernardo Daddi, Portable Double-sided Cross, ca. 1335 174
Fig. 17 Leonardo da Vinci, “Sketch of a hanged man,” 1478 176
ix
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