Un "increscioso ma non trascurabile argomento": la fine del matrimonio di Aldo Manuzio il Giovane e la sua mancata ammissione agli ordini sacri

The supposed admission to the holy orders of Aldus Manutius the Younger (1547-1597) has been already a subject of debate a few years after his death. Some unknown letters by Aldus to Antonio Maria Graziani (1537-1611) allow to shed new light about this event. Through the review of already known documents and with the help of unpublished sources it can be argued that Aldus' decision was closely connected to the end of his marriage with Francesca Giunti. Niccolò Manassi, Aldus' associate and manager of the Venetian shop ad signum Aldi, had a considerable role in their separation; after Aldus' death he married Francesca and took the lead of what remained of the glorious Aldine Press.