The French scholar Denis De Sallo wrote an essay on maritime ceremonial in 1666 on behalf of Minister Colbert, who used it in the diplomatic negotiations France was then conducting with the United Provinces. An Italian translation is found in Florence, in the collection of the Carte Strozziane. We present it in a critical edition, preceded by an essay framing the issue of sea salutes in the political-diplomatic context of the second half of the 17th century. The merit of de Sallo’s contribution lies in the critical comparison between an abstract treatment of the problem, deduced from the theory of etiquette, and the concrete reconstruction of its historical-political emergence. In his conclusions, De Sallo leaves the problem open, confessing his dismay at this new symbolic competition for rank between Europe’s major maritime powers.
Le inquietudini del disordine liquido. Una memoria sul cerimoniale marittimo di Denis de Sallo (1666)
Andrea Addobbati
2024-01-01
Abstract
The French scholar Denis De Sallo wrote an essay on maritime ceremonial in 1666 on behalf of Minister Colbert, who used it in the diplomatic negotiations France was then conducting with the United Provinces. An Italian translation is found in Florence, in the collection of the Carte Strozziane. We present it in a critical edition, preceded by an essay framing the issue of sea salutes in the political-diplomatic context of the second half of the 17th century. The merit of de Sallo’s contribution lies in the critical comparison between an abstract treatment of the problem, deduced from the theory of etiquette, and the concrete reconstruction of its historical-political emergence. In his conclusions, De Sallo leaves the problem open, confessing his dismay at this new symbolic competition for rank between Europe’s major maritime powers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
