Bilder Girolamo Ruscelli (1504–1566) – Allegorical emblem of Alfonso II d'Este – engraving (1572)

Beskrivning

This engraving features a complex allegorical emblem dedicated to Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, centered on a page of Italian text. The central image depicts a multi-figured scene in a landscape, including a female figure standing between two pillars inscribed with Latin mottos, surrounded by reclining figures and celestial elements, representing the Duke's noble character and the divine favor of his reign. This work was published as part of a significant collection of emblems designed to celebrate the personal devices and virtues of the Italian aristocracy during the Renaissance. The surrounding Italian text includes a detailed philosophical and historical commentary, explaining the symbolic meaning of each figure and the relationship between the visual allegory and the Duke's reputation as a patron of arts and leadership.

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.