Below is my digital recreation of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, or the Index of Forbidden Books, originally printed in Rome in 1564. The index contained a list of texts, authors, and publishers deemed heretical, immoral, or otherwise dangerous by the Catholic Church at that time. This edition is the so-called Tridentine Index, revised and authorized by the Council of Trent. The Index underwent regular updates by the Church's Sacred Congregation of the Index until its last edition in 1948, and was ultimately abolished in 1966. 

The Index Librorum Prohibitorum emerged during the Counter-Reformation, a period of Catholic resurgence in response to the Protestant Reformation. The Catholic Church sought to assert its authority and maintain doctrinal purity by controlling the dissemination of information. The Index was a tool for censorship, aimed at preventing the spread of ideas that challenged Church teachings or threatened its power.

The Tridentine Index, printed in Rome in 1564, was a significant development in the history of book censorship. It contained a list of prohibited texts, authors, and publishers, effectively shaping the landscape of book production and distribution. The Index had a profound impact on the world of book art, as it forced artists, printers, and publishers to navigate the restrictions imposed by the Church.

The cover of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum features an illustration of an anchor and a dolphin, representing the Latin adage "festina lente" or "make haste slowly." This emblem was adopted by the Italian typographer Aldo Manuzio, the creator of italic type, for his Aldina Press, founded in 1494 in Venice. The inclusion of this emblem on the cover of the Index is significant, as it highlights the tension between the Church's desire to control the spread of information and the unstoppable progress of the printing press.

The Index Librorum Prohibitorum remained in effect for over four centuries, shaping the intellectual and artistic landscape of the Western world. Its abolition in 1966 marked a turning point in the Church's approach to censorship and the dissemination of knowledge. Today, the Index serves as a reminder of the historical struggle between religious authority and the freedom of thought and expression.

The Index Librorum Prohibitorum is a fascinating artifact of the Catholic Church's efforts to control the spread of information during the Counter-Reformation. Its impact on the world of book art is evident in the creative ways artists, printers, and publishers navigated the restrictions imposed by the Church. The anchor and dolphin illustration on the cover of the Index serves as a symbol of the tension between religious authority and the progress of the printing press. As we reflect on the legacy of the Index, it is essential to remember the importance of intellectual freedom and the ongoing need for interfaith dialogue and understanding.