The Manipulation of Images in Ancient Books: The Case of Sacrobosco's De Sphaera Mundi
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
Since the time of the invention of printing, ancient texts were graced by rich iconographic collections. These illustrations have a twofold role, decorative and explicative. However, the symbolic meaning of these images could not escape the watchful eye of the Counter-Reformation. Indeed, all science books that were bringing new truths were often censored. However, it should be noted that not only the texts were censored. Sometimes the images were also subject of such repressive actions and, in some cases, they were modified or disfigured.
In this paper, we present the case of De sphaera mundi by Johannes de Sacrobosco, conserved in the library of the Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte. The xylography that accompanies the text shows the mutilated breasts of Urania.
Coverage
Open Science at the Frontiers of Librarianship
All editors
Holl, András; Lesteven, Soizick; Dietrich, Dianne; Gasperini, Antonella
Volume
492
Start page
173
Conferenece
Library and Information Services in Astronomy VII: Open Science at the Frontiers of Librarianship
Conferenece place
Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Napoli
Conferenece date
17-20 giugno, 2014
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