Filippo Villani

Summary

Filippo Villani (fl. end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century) was a chronicler of Florence. Son of the chronicler Matteo Villani, he extended the original Nuova Cronica of his uncle Giovanni Villani down to 1364.

Dante's Comedy edited by Filippo Villani (1390-1405 ca.), Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana

Career edit

Filippo Villani held a chair of jurisprudence in the Studio at Florence in 1361.[1] He was also appointed chancellor of the medieval commune of Perugia in 1377, and would remain in office for the next six years.[1] In his old age, he spent his time in Florence as public reader of the Divine Comedy by the Florentine Dante Alighieri.[1] Accepting this job in 1392, he was given an annual stipend of 150 gold florins.[2]

Work edit

Villani's chronicles were approved by the Chancellor of Florence, Coluccio Salutati, who made corrections to the work and added commentary.[1] The second edition of Villani's histories came out in either 1395 or 1396.[2] Filippo Villani's portion includes details of the lives of many Florentine artists and musicians, including Giotto and Francesco Landini.

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d Selby, 243.
  2. ^ a b Selby, 245.

References edit

  • Selby, Talbot R. "Filippo Villani and his Vita of Guido Bonatti," Renaissance News (Volume 11, Number 4, 1958): 243–248.

External links edit