Bilder Girolamo Ruscelli (1504–1566) – Allegorical Coat of Arms of Isabella Gonzaga – Engraving (1566)

Beskrivning

"Meliora Lapsis" depicts the personal device of Isabella Gonzaga, Marchesa di Pescara. The central rectangular image features a sailing vessel navigating turbulent waters, flanked by architectural niches containing mythological figures including a satyr and a female figure with a putto. The scene is supported by two reclining seahorses and a central heraldic shield at the base. This copper engraving was published in Venice as part of the work Le Imprese Illustri con Esposizioni et Discorsi, which served as a prestigious record of the symbolic heraldry and philosophical mottos of the Italian high nobility. The accompanying text provides a scholarly discourse on the provenance of the imagery and its symbolic connection to the fortune and resilience of the House of Gonzaga.

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.