The Angel and the Thief with the Pearl Earrings

Abstract

Abstract In 1609, Tommaso Zefiriele Bovio, a physician from Verona, died leaving unpublished his magnum opus: Teatro dell’Infinito, an account of the author’s astrological and magical theories. The reason seems to be attributable, first and foremost, to theft. We can find evidence to support this view in a series of letters uncovered: an epistolary exchange which happened from 1605 to 1606 between Bovio, Prince Antonio de’ Medici, and Ascanio Canacci—a freelancer working as a middleman in the purchase of esoteric items. These findings allow us to reconstruct the last events of the manuscript’s publishing history, evaluate Bovio’s persuasive efforts aimed at ensuring the printing of his work, and examine the Prince’s interest in the occult sciences. Lastly, the analysis of these letters enables us to trace the intricate relationships that the magician from Verona attempted to build with some of the most influential personalities of his time.