Bilder Girolamo Ruscelli (1504–1566) – Allegorical emblem of Gabriel Zaias – engraving (1572)

Beskrivning

This engraving features an allegorical emblem dedicated to Gabriel Zaias, centered on a page of Italian text. The central circular image depicts the mythological fall of Phaethon, shown tumbling from a chariot pulled by four horses toward the earth, representing the moral lesson of the dangers of ambition and lack of moderation. This work was published as part of a significant collection of emblems designed to celebrate the personal mottos and virtues of prominent Renaissance figures. The surrounding Italian text includes a detailed philosophical commentary that interprets the myth of Phaethon in relation to the subject's personal character and the humanist values of the sixteenth century.

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.