Treatise on the Art of Painting

† 4

DON SANCHO de Guevara and Padilla, Castellan of Milan, of His Majesty’s Secret Council, Governor of this State, and his Captain General in Italy, etc. Since Giovanni Paolo Lomazzo has set forth to us that with much labor and personal expense he has compiled a treatise on the art of Painting, and because it does not seem right to him that after his hard work others should take both the honor and the profit, he has petitioned us to grant him a Privilege a legal grant, similar to a modern copyright, giving an author exclusive rights to their work in such a way that no one else but him may print, nor sell, nor have others sell the said work.

We, desiring to help and favor all virtuous people, and particularly those who labor for the public benefit, have granted this in the manner written below. Therefore, by the authority we hold, we grant a broad Privilege, so that no person of whatever condition, status, or preeminence—except for the said Giovanni Paolo Lomazzo, or his successors, or those who have cause from him—may, for the next fifteen years, print, or have printed, or sell if printed, or have sold such a treatise, under the penalty of losing all copies found and a fine of fifty scudi a gold or silver currency used in Italy at the time for every violation. This fine is to be applied in thirds: to the Royal Chamber the state treasury of the Duchy of Milan, to the accuser, and to the petitioner. And we command everyone whom this concerns, or shall concern, to observe and ensure the observation of this present grant for the said time. Given in Milan under the witness of our hand and our seal on the 2nd of October, 1582.

Seen by Filiodonus. original: Vidit Filiodonus

Montius.