This volume is full of mysteries and curiosities, first of all for its unknown author, Giuseppe Solari , about whom nothing is known. Made in Venice, as he declares on the frontispiece, but dedicated to the Medici family and specifically to Cosimo III Grand Duke of Tuscany , as can be read on pages 2-6. A very long dedication of 10 pp. aimed at celebrating the glories of the Medici family and the honor of being able to recite them. "The flash of glories, which the serene sky of my homeland has often flashed with the lightning of the highest wonders of another Heaven (I mean Florence) draws me with the lights of those to the Throne of this one, and with the deepest reverence before Your Highness now drives me. This is the moment so long desired by my wishes; the moment to lift me up to the sight of a Sphere so sublime; the moment of syncope in my life, for the joy of seeing the adored face of Your Highness. Here I will have the opportunity to mirror myself in the Majesty of your greatness, connatural to honors, originating in glory, dominating the centuries. Here I will sing the praises of the immense preciousness of your Most Serene Progeny, Mother of the most fortunate Heroes in the World, Twin of the most sublime dignities; German of the rarest greatness; and therefore Heaven of greatness itself. (...)" The dedication is signed, Venice 1 October 1678 . The Medici family tree follows, for two cards, then the content of the work, which was to be developed in at least three Paintings. This would have been the first: "...in this first painting there are two Figures, the first of which consists of the foundation of Florence; the Government of the Republic; its destruction, with many wars, and victories by it (...) The second Figure shows the Medici Genealogy (...). The two subsequent paintings, never realized, would have focused on the figures of "Pontiffs, Queens, Empresses, Cardinals (...) of the Medici Prosapia" and on the "Government and the most memorable deeds of all the Grand Dukes up to the present day". The third Painting, also never realized, would have described "the Greatness of Florence, of the Florentine Saints, of the Senators, Knights, Lawyers (...)"; while the last Figure would have described "the most precious Qualities, qualities, value, prudence, and Mastery of the Most Serene COSMO III present, and of the Princes Ferdinando and Don Gastone." The mystery therefore remains as to why the project of a complete history of the Medici was interrupted here, in more portraits or "pictures" as he calls them. Some clues within the text suggest a precious homage to be delivered to Cosimo III or even to his sons the Princes on the occasion of an official visit to Venice, so the field could be narrowed down to the documented visits of the Medici rulers to Venice in that period of time. For example, in January 1688 Ferdinando de Medici found himself visiting Venice for a few months, in agreement with his father Cosimo. Was that the imagined occasion to deliver this sort of "Mediceide"? Because in reality this is what it is, a celebration not in verse but in a refined and baroque prose of the Florentine dynasty . A text that should be studied, analyzed and broken down, because in addition to the happy inventive streak, which is expressed in a sparkling prose, it is also rich in analytical and in-depth documentation. Latin quotations abound, serving to give lustre to the family by exploiting the classical exemplum, and Solari handles all this material with impressive ease, like a true writer. "The undertaking is difficult, as has already been said: fortune gives me the courage to do it: dedicating it to a Grand Duke makes me end here, and begin here at the same time." The result is an intriguing text, preserved in its precious dedication binding. All to be studied.