Copyright in the Renaissance: Prints and the Privilegio in Sixteenth-century Venice and Rome illustrated edition, No. 100

The concept of copyright emerged in the 15th century and expanded over the course of the 16th; this survey of 16th century Venice and Rome focuses on copyright and printed images but also addresses the related matters of licensing and censorship. It provides an overview of how copyright functioned with respect to printed images as well as introducing readers to the competitive world of printmaking and print publishing in Renaissance Italy. The work contains a sampling of b&w images. Witcombe teaches art history at Sweet Briar College. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This study examines the emergence and early history of copyright in Venice and Rome, focusing in particular on the privilegio and the use made of it by printers, publishers, engravers, painters, architects, mapmakers, and others in the sixteenth century to protect their commercial interests in various types of printed images. These include separately sold engravings, woodcuts, and etchings, as well as illustrations in books. The first part of the book surveys printmaking and the privilegio in sixteenth-century Venice and Rome together with the related issues of licensing and censorship. The second part documents many of the recipients who were granted the privilegio. The book introduces the reader to the richly competitive world of printmaking and print publishing in Renaissance Italy.

Christopher L. C. E. Witcombe, Ph.D. (1981) in Art History, Bryn Mawr College, is Professor of Art History at Sweet Briar College. He has published extensively on Italian Renaissance painting, prints, and architecture.