XO06 Analysis librorum Physicorum Aristotelis

Analysis librorum Physicorum Aristotelis [England 1674-1675]

Penn Libraries, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Ms. Codex 865

Penned by Alexander Cunnighame in England from 1674-1675, this manuscript begins with a Geometriae compendium, a brief section of mathematical principles, sample problems, and figures. Following this section on geometry, the bulk of the manuscript, Analysis librorum physicorum Aristotelis, contains lecture notes on several of Aristotle’s notable works: De caelo, De generatione et corruptione, Meteorologica, and De anima. Separating the two sections of the manuscript is a two-page spread of ink and watercolor illustrations, here on display. On the left side, we see a man with a text and a globe in his hand next to a table filled with various objects. The man’s attire and the presence of texts and globes in the study indicate his intellectual background. Given the lecture notes on Aristotle’s work that follow, it is possible this scholar is an anachronistic illustrated representation of the Greek philosopher himself. Across from the scholar is a painting of a heart, plants, and a dog, as well as the inscription “A.C.” in the top right corner, indicating that Alexander Cunnighame drew and painted these images. The manuscript contains more drawings of various animals, men, weapons, tools, and pottery, much in the same style as the previous illustrations. This text was clearly used for education in a private context.

Massimo Sassi