Bilder Girolamo Ruscelli (1504–1566) – Allegorical Coat of Arms of Giovan Battista d’Azzia – Engraving (1566)

Beskrivning

"Semper Ardentius" depicts the personal device of Giovan Battista d’Azzia, Marchese della Terza. The central rectangular image features a soaring eagle clutching a serpent within its talons set against a coastal landscape, framed by a highly decorative border. This border is typical of the Italian Mannerist style, featuring reclining nude figures in the corners and intricate architectural scrolling. This copper engraving was published in Venice as part of the work Le Imprese Illustri con Esposizioni et Discorsi, which cataloged the symbolic heraldry and philosophical mottos of prominent 16th-century Italian families. The text surrounding the image provides a literary commentary on the moral qualities of the eagle, linking its nature to the character of the noble house.

Girolamo Ruscelli was an Italian humanist, polymath, and cartographer who was a central figure in the literary and scientific circles of mid-sixteenth-century Venice. He was a prolific editor and author, known for his expanded editions of Ptolemy's Geography and his foundational work on the study of heraldic devices and emblems. Ruscelli founded the Accademia dei Dubbiosi and published extensively on topics ranging from linguistics and poetry to secret recipes and natural philosophy. His contributions to the visual arts were primarily through the conceptualization and production of high-quality emblem books, which utilized some of the finest engravers of the period to create lasting records of Renaissance symbolism.

Artist or Maker: Girolamo Ruscelli.

Dimensions: Approximately 26 cm x 19 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1566.

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.