Janus Pannonius from Humanism to the Age of Baroque – Temporary exhibition from the collection of the University Library and Archives

In the frame of the Autumn Festival of Museums, our temporary exhibition entitled Janus Pannonius from Humanism to the Baroque – A Selection from the Collection of the University Library and Archives is open until the 11th of November 2022.

János Csezmicei, bishop of Pécs, known as a poet by pen-name Janus Pannonius (1434–1472), was one of the first humanists and book collectors in Hungary. During his study years in Italy, he not only acquired a wide knowledge of Greek and canon law, but also wrote many of his poems. He got acquainted with a number of other humanists, with some of whom he maintained relations also after having returned to Hungary. From the early 16th century onwards, his poems were published, and enabled Janus Pannonius to become more widely known throughout Europe than ever before. In addition to a precious treasure from his library, an eleventh-century Greek-language Gospel Book from Byzantium, the University Library preserves a wealth of documents directly or indirectly associated with Janus Pannonius. Our chamber exhibition displays several printed books and a manuscript relating to the poet’s Italian acquaintances (Galeotto Marzio, Marsilio Ficino) and the first researchers of his literary legacy (Péter Váradi, István Brodarics), as well as five different foreign and Hungarian editions of his works from the 16th and 18th centuries. Registration is possible via e-mail at titkarsag@lib.elte.hu. For a detailed programme, please, visit our homepage. All visitors are welcome!

Venue of the event:

ELTE University Library and Archives, Second Floor, Director General’s Office and Old Repository

1053 Budapest, Ferenciek tere 6.

Date and time:

The exhibition is open to the public during the Autumn Festival of Museums from the 3rd of October to the 11th of November 2022, on weekdays between 10.00 and 15.00.

Source/author of illustration:
ELTE University Library and Archives (Inc. 65); IX. Gergely pápa, Bernardus Bottonius (comm.), [Decretales] Venetiis [Venezia]: impensa atque industria singulari Nicolai Ienson Gallici, millesimo CCCCLXXVIIII. die octavo Maii [1479], fol. 2r.