Early Erasmus translation discovered in Amsterdam

by thelowcountries 17. February 2012 15:00
A unique translation of Dutch Renaissance humanist Erasmus’ The Praise of Folly (Moriae Encomium)– originally published in Paris in 1511 - has been discovered in the library of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam. Linguists have identified the text as a Spanish translation from the 17th century.

The scientists say it is a spectacular find as the Spanish inquisition put Erasmus’ works on the list of banned books in 1559. The first official translation of The Praise of Folly was not printed until centuries later, in 1842, eight years after the abolition of the Inquisition.

There has been much speculation on the existence of early Spanish translations of the famous pamphlet.  Traces are said to appear in the Lazarillo de Tormes and in the Don Quijote. But proof was never found.

It is not yet clear how the text ended up in the library of the Portuguese Synagogue. The work can be viewed by appointment with the synagogue.

Read an article on Erasmus from the last yearbook here.

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Yearbook 'The Low Countries'

The Low Countries 

With The Low Countries, a yearbook founded by Jozef Deleu (Chief Editor from 1993 until 2002), Ons Erfdeel vzw aims to present to the world the culture and society of Flanders and the Netherlands

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Yearbook no. 20, 2012