XO05 Peri hermenias Aristotelis libri duo

Peri hermenias Aristotelis libri duo (Paris: Apud Prigentium Caluarin in clauso Brunello, 1537)

Penn Libraries, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, GrC Ar466 Ef17.3 1537

This woodcut decorates the verso of the title page of this small, in-octavo edition of Aristotle’s On the Interpretation (part of his logical writings). It represents an encounter between an elegantly dressed lady, whom a caption identifies as a personification of natural philosophy, and Aristotle himself. Natural philosophy is depicted while explaining and teaching, as suggested by the movement of her hands. A bearded Aristotle is seated, as a good student, with an open book in his hands. This iconography, a variant on the theme of Aristotle as the secretary of nature, mixed with a Boethian influence, aimed at celebrating the philosopher’s greatness in natural philosophy.