Bilder Girolamo Ruscelli (1504–1566) – Allegorical emblem of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese – engraving (1572)

Beskrivning

This engraving features an allegorical emblem dedicated to Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, presented within an architectural frame of classical columns and decorative scrolls. The central circular image depicts a bow and arrow entwined with a serpent, representing a motto or personal device characteristic of sixteenth-century humanist culture. This work was published as part of a collection of emblems intended to celebrate the virtues and lineage of prominent figures of the Italian Renaissance. The surrounding Italian text includes a sonnet and a detailed commentary explaining the philosophical and symbolic meaning of the imagery in relation to the Cardinal’s reputation and noble character.

Girolamo Ruscelli was an influential Italian writer, editor, and polymath active in Venice during the mid-sixteenth century. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to cartography, specifically his expanded edition of Ptolemy's Geography, as well as his work on linguistics and courtly emblems. His publication Le Imprese Illustri became a definitive reference for the study of heraldry and symbolic devices among the European aristocracy. Ruscelli's work is characterized by a high degree of scholarly rigor and an elegant aesthetic that defined the intellectual standards of the late Renaissance.

Artist or Maker: Girolamo Ruscelli.

Dimensions: Approximately 26 cm x 18 cm.

Medium: engraving.

Date: 1572.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.