1880 Romola

Description

Illustrated, Limited Edition, Original Binding

A limited edition work, being numbered copy 504 of 1000. Complete in two volumes. 'Romola' is a novel set in fifteenth century Florence, taking place during historical events during the Italian Renaissance. The novel centers around Romola de' Bardi, the daughter of the blind classical scholar bardo de' Bardi. She herself is immersed in classical studies, and eventually falls in love with Tito Melema. Tito is a handsome young scholar, arriving in Florence after being shipwrecked. He eventually succumbs to ambitions and self-preservation, earning Romola's disdain. This novel was a far cry from George Eliot's other novels, all of which were set in nineteenth century England. Though it is considered to be one of the author's greatest works, it never was her most popular novel. Eliot supposedly spent eighteen months researching and contemplating the novel, including taking several trips to Florence. Eliot's best known works are 'Middlemarch' and 'The Mill on the Floss', and she was known for her realism and psychological insight in her writings. Illustrated by Frederick Leighton, a painter and sculptor known for his work depicting historical, biblical, and classical scenes. With a frontispiece, and eleven plates to Volume I, and a frontispiece and eleven plates to Volume II. Volume I has photographs of Leighton and Eliot tipped in to the front free endpaper. Bookplate to the front pastedowns, 'Francis Frederick Fox'. Bookplate to the recto to the front free endpapers. 'R. G. E. Sandbach. Collated, complete.