Art, Symbol & Imagination
The Dragon Biting Its Tail: Emblem XIV
A long winged dragon bends into a nearly closed circle with its tail held in its mouth. Ruined walls and distant buildings frame the low landscape. Emblem XIV presents the self-devouring dragon as an image of alchemical consumption and renewal.
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Citation
Matthaeus Merian. "The Dragon Biting Its Tail: Emblem XIV" [editorial title]. In Atalanta Fugiens, Michael Maier. Inspected engraved title: Oppenheim, Hieronymus Galler for Johann Theodor de Bry, M DC XVIII (1618). Latin and German historical printing with musical fugues and engraved emblems, final errata. Printing date checked on an enlarged crop of the existing title derivative. No modern English translation or new commentary., 1618, Hieronymus Galler for Johann Theodor de Bry. Source scan leaf 73. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/maier-dragon-tail
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
Descriptive title supplied for browsing. The complete original page retains its Latin motto, epigram, margins and paper tone. The scene belongs to Maier’s historical alchemical allegory.
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Matthaeus Merian. The Dragon Biting Its Tail: Emblem XIV. Atalanta Fugiens. Scan leaf 73. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/maier-dragon-tail