Bunic Vucic, Ivan, Croatian politician and poet (1592-1658). Mandaliena Pokorniza.

€ 2,500.00

A charming 18th century manuscript of "Mandalijena pokornica", a Croatian Baroque religious poem, possibly here copied by a scribe wishing to own a personal specimen of this important work.

The legend of St Mary Magdalene became particularly popular in the early 16th century, and Bunic's "Mandalijena Pokornica" (Sighs of the Penitent Magdalene) is known as the first Croatian poem to embrace the subject. Inspired by similarly-themed Italian works, the poem describes Mary Magdelene's growing awareness of her sins and her renunciation of earthly desires. The poem, written in quatrains, is divided into three sections.

Bunic is considered the most important poet of the old Croatian literature. His writing was deeply influenced by Petrarch and Giambattista Marino. He is best known for his love poems, and his most important work is often said to be "Plandovanja", never printed during the author's lifetime. "Mandalijena Pokornica" is his principal religious work, published twice during his lifetime (in 1630 and 1638), but no copies of these two editions survive. It was printed for the third time in 1659, after the poet's death. The present manuscript, copied by an educated, well-legible hand, testifies the ongoing importance and popularity of Bunic's work.