Bilder Girolamo Ruscelli (1504-1566) – Semper Idem – Woodcut (1584)

Beskrivning

"Semper Idem" This print depicts an emblem featuring a rocky island standing firm amidst a turbulent sea, symbolizing resilience and steadfastness. Above the central image, a ribbon bears the Latin motto "Semper Idem," meaning always the same. Two celestial bodies, possibly suns or stars, radiate light down upon the rock from the upper corners. The entire scene is framed by a highly ornate Mannerist cartouche, featuring architectural scrolls and four winged cherubs in various reclining poses. This work is a leaf from "Le Imprese Illustri," a definitive Renaissance collection of heraldic devices published in Venice. The accompanying Italian text provides a sophisticated philosophical discourse on the virtues of constancy. This edition was printed by Francesco de' Franceschi.

Girolamo Ruscelli was a preeminent Italian polymath and editor who played a central role in the intellectual life of sixteenth-century Venice. While he is celebrated for his cartographic work and his edition of Ptolemy's Geography, "Le Imprese Illustri" stands as one of his most significant cultural contributions. This volume documented the personal symbols and mottos of the era's most prominent figures, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with emblem books that merged visual art with moral and philosophical depth. Ruscelli was a founding member of the Accademia dei Dubbiosi, and his work in compiling these "imprese" helped standardize the complex language of heraldry and symbolism for the European nobility.

Artist or Maker: Girolamo Ruscelli.

Dimensions: Approximately 25 cm x 18 cm.

Medium: Woodcut .

Date: 1584.

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.