Art, Symbol & Imagination
The Four Spheres: Emblem XVII
Four round spheres hang one above another in an open sky. A small harbour, buildings and a curving shoreline establish their immense scale. Emblem XVII describes four circuits governing the work of fire, turning the stacked forms into a diagram of alchemical order.
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Citation
Matthaeus Merian. "The Four Spheres: Emblem XVII" [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 85. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/maier-four-vessels
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 Four Spheres: Emblem XVII. Atalanta Fugiens. Scan leaf 85. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/maier-four-vessels