Francesco Colonna - Hypnerotomachia Poliphili

Arguably the most beautiful book of the Venetian Renaissance, this book tells the story of a quest for lost love. Published in 1499 by the renowned printer Aldus Manutius, the magnificently crafted volume is illustrated with 172 woodcuts by an unknown artist.

The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili relates the story of the dream of Poliphilo 'in which it is shown that all human things are but a dream, and many other things worthy of knowledge and memory.' The tongue twisting 'Hypnerotomachia' poetically translates as the 'strife of love in a dream'.

Here (in several languages and formats)