The author presents ways in which Klemens Janicjusz (Clemens Ianicius, 1516–1543), certainly the most significant neo-Latin poet of early Renaissance in Poland, constructs the image of Italy in his autobiographical cycles of elegies (Tristium liber unus, Variorum elegiarum liber unus). Janicjusz, born in the peasant family, could have studied at the University in Padua thanks to a scholarship funded by his patrons. He gave to Italy a status of an exceptional place that combines features typical of Arcadia (a mild climate, a humanfriendly nature, the unique customs of inhabitants) with the atmosphere favourable to scientists and artists (the place where Muses moved from Greece). The poet had to leave Padua because of his illness, which meant to him a kind of exile from the ideal land and made him aware that his dreams about artistic fame and completing his humanity would never realise.

The author presents ways in which Klemens Janicjusz (Clemens Ianicius, 1516–1543), certainly the most significant neo-Latin poet of early Renaissance in Poland, constructs the image of Italy in his autobiographical cycles of elegies (Tristium liber unus, Variorum elegiarum liber unus). Janicjusz, born in the peasant family, could have studied at the University in Padua thanks to a scholarship funded by his patrons. He gave to Italy a status of an exceptional place that combines features typical of Arcadia (a mild climate, a humanfriendly nature, the unique customs of inhabitants) with the atmosphere favourable to scientists and artists (the place where Muses moved from Greece). The poet had to leave Padua because of his illness, which meant to him a kind of exile from the ideal land and made him aware that his dreams about artistic fame and completing his humanity would never realise.