Judaica - Italy Judaica - Italy - - Doctorate ("Doctoratus Privilegium") in medicine and philosophy from the University of Padua, awarded to Leo(ne) Cantarini (1595-1651), Rabbi of Padua. Latin manuscript on parchment. Padua, n. d. 1623. 12 leaves, 10 of which are calligraphed on both sides with gold leaf and black ink, mostly ruled in pencil, the text bordered with a single line. Gr.-8° (sheet size 23.5 x 17 cm, text mirror 15 x 8 cm). Magnificent Venetian leather binding of the period with full cover and spine gilt embossing using lavish arabesques, these divided by double frames. Elegantly calligraphed document in a ceremonial binding, one of the few surviving documents of the Serenissima's liberal, Jewish-inclusive educational policy. - Leone Cantarini (1595-1651), who graduated with this diploma, was appointed rabbi of Padua's Jewish community at the age of 23. He was regarded by his contemporaries as an important scribe and also made a name for himself as a doctor in the fight against the plague of 1630/31. - Founded in 1222, the University of Padua was one of the world's leading centres of medical learning from the 16th century onwards, where Andreas Vesalius taught, among others. Unlike all other universities in Italy today, the one in Padua was not beholden to the Pope, but was protected by the Republic of Venice, which was liberal in religious matters, which is why Jews were also admitted. Between 1409 and 1816, 325 of them were awarded doctorates in medicine, including numerous rabbis such as Cantarini. The text, calligraphed in elegant antiqua with gold leaf and black ink, begins with the formula "In dei aeterni nomine Amen" (In the name of the eternal God) and not "In Christi nomini Amen" (In the name of Christ) as was customary, a concession by the university to its Jewish students. The fact that the University of Padua was part of the Serenissima's educational system is also reflected in the splendid, orientalised binding of the document, which comes from a Venetian workshop. - The document is signed on p. 11v on behalf of the university by four professors under the chair of medicine, the important physician Santorio Santorio, as well as by Cesare Cremonini (philosophy), Pompeo Caimo and Giovanni Colle (both medicine), the syndic Pietro Bottio (?) and the chancellor of the university Pietro Merio. On p. 12v there is a further entry dated August 1630, i.e. at the time of the plague epidemic, and authenticated with an official paper seal, authorising Cantarini to enter the "ospedale sanità". - Binding somewhat bumped at the corners, the edges rubbed, the covers with two holes each, the spine with a hole for attaching silk ribbons, on which the wax seals of the University and the Republic of Venice (St Mark's lion) were originally affixed. The spines partially missing and stained, some leaves finger-stained and yellowed. - Rebecca Locci: I quattro medici ebrei al servizio di tutti. In: Pagine ebriche, no. 7 (2021), pp. P31f., Abdelkader Modena and Edgardo Morpurgo, Medici e chirurghi ebrei dottorati e licenziati nell'Università di Padova dal 1617 al 1816 (List of Jewish graduates of the University of Padua in the 1617-1816. Bologna: Forni, 1967), p. 46. Elegantly calligraphed manuscript in a splendid Venetian binding, one of the few surviving documents of the Serenissima's liberal educational approaches towards Jews. - Leone Cantarini (1595-1651), who was awarded this diploma, had been appointed rabbi of Padua's Jewish community at the age of 23. He was regarded by his contemporaries as an important scribe and also became known as a physician fighting the plague of 1630/31. - In Catarini's time the University of Padua was one of the world's leading centres of medical education, led among others by Andreas Vesalius. Unlike all other universities in Italy Padua was not controlled by the Pope, but was protected by the liberal Republic of Venice, where Jews were also admitted to enter. Between 1409 and 1816, 325 of them were awarded doctorates in medicine, including numerous rabbis such as Leone Cantarini. The text, calligraphed in elegant antiqua with gold and black ink, begins with the formula 'In dei aeterni nomine Amen' (In the name of the eternal God) and not 'In Christi nomini Amen' (In the name of Christ) as was customary, a concession by the university to its Jewish students. The affiliation of the University of Padua to the educational system of the Serenissima is also reflected in the splendid binding of the document, which derived from a Venetian workshop. - The document is signed on lv. 11v by four of Cantarini's professors and under the then chair of medicine, the important physician Santorio Santorio, as well as by Cesare Cremonini (philosophy), Pompeo Caimo and Giovanni Colle (both medicine), the syndic Pietro Bottio (?) and the chancellor of the university Pietro Merio. On lv. 12v there is a further paper-sealed entry dated August 1630, i.e. at the time of the plague, authorising Cantarini to enter the 'ospedale sanità'. - Binding somewhat bumped at the corners, the edges rubbed, covers with two little holes each, the spine with a hole for attaching silk ribbons, on which the missing wax seals of the university and the Republic of Venice (St Mark's lion) were originally affixed. Paste-downs partially missing and stained, some leaves finger-stained and yellowed. This lot is taxed. The hammer price is subject to a 24.95% surcharge and the final invoice amount is subject to 7% (books, art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, silkscreens, offset prints, photographs) in the European Union. This work is subject to the regular margin scheme. There is a 24.95% buyer's premium on the hammer price and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offsetprints and Photographs) on the final invoice amount in the European Union.