The Seven Liberal Arts

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Excellent

Confirmed: 3/10/2024

Date Acquired: 10/11/2019

Description: The Seven Liberal Arts (septem artes liberales in Latin) profoundly shaped intellectual thought during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. These disciplines formed the foundation of education in ancient and medieval European schools and played a pivotal role in the curriculum of medieval universities. The term "liberal" refers to their aim: educating free individuals, not for vocational purposes but for the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. This intellectual endeavour, blending philosophy and theology in a method known as scholasticism, was regarded as the pinnacle of learning.nA series of seven engravings, inspired by paintings by Hendrick Goltzius, artistically represent these disciplines. Below are descriptions of five engravings:nPlate 2 ArithmeticnAn allegorical scene features a woman with a bare breast instructing her young male companion in numbersconspicuously omitting the number nine. Inscription: "Praecipuas partes tribuit primasque mathesis, jure mihi, muneros certa ratione docenti" nThe Seven Liberal Arts (septem artes liberales in Latin) profoundly shaped intellectual thought during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. These disciplines formed the foundation of education in ancient and medieval European schools and played a pivotal role in the curriculum of medieval universities. The term "liberal" refers to their aim: educating free individuals, not for vocational purposes but for the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. This intellectual endeavour, blending philosophy and theology in a method known as scholasticism, was regarded as the pinnacle of learning.nA series of seven engravings, inspired by paintings by Hendrick Goltzius, artistically represent these disciplines. Below are descriptions of five engravings:nPlate 2 ArithmeticnAn allegorical scene features a woman with a bare breast instructing her young male companion in numbersconspicuously omitting the number nine. Inscription: "Praecipuas partes tribuit primasque mathesis, jure mihi, muneros certa ratione docenti" (Mathematics, rightly and deservedly, grants me a leading and principal role, teaching with certain reasoning.)nPlate 3: PhilosophynA woman embodies Philosophy, proclaiming her role in discerning truth through reason. Inscription: "Discerno a falso conto discrimine verunt, res dubiae per me docta ratione probantur" (I distinguish between the false standard and the truth that deviates from it. Doubtful matters are tested by my educated reason.)nPlate 5: MusicnThe scene depicts a woman playing a clavecimbel at the center, accompanied by a man and a child singing. In the background, various musical instruments rest against the wall. Inscription: "Jucundo tristes oblecto carmine mentes, depelloque graves curas, relevoque labores" (With joyful song, I delight sorrowful minds, dispel heavy cares, and relieve labour.)nPlate 6: GeometrynAn allegory for Geometry shows a woman measuring a globe with compasses, holding a set square, while a man observes closely. Various instruments and academic books lie in the foreground. Inscription: "Terrarum tractus, et latas metior oras, ingenio gaudens subtile, et acumine mentis" (I measure the tracts of lands and wide regions, rejoicing in subtle intellect and sharpness of mind.)nPlate 7: AstronomynA woman in an elegant costume passionately sings and plays a harpsichord, her music filling the air with enchantment. Inscription: "Ardua stelliferi perlustro sydera coeli, et ruteli scrutor sublimes etheris orbes" (I survey the lofty stars of the celestial sky and explore the sublime orbits of radiant ether.)nThe Latin verses accompanying these engravings are attributed to Cornelis Schonaeus, nA woman embodies Philosophy, proclaiming her role in discerning truth through reason. Inscription:n"Discerno a falso conto discrimine verunt, res dubiae per me docta ratione probantur"n(I distinguish between the false standard and the truth that deviates from it. Doubtful matters are tested by my educated reason.)nPlate 5: MusicnThe scene depicts a woman playing a clavecimbel at the center, accompanied by a man and a child singing. In the background, various musical instruments rest against the wall. Inscription:n"Jucundo tristes oblecto carmine mentes, depelloque graves curas, relevoque labores"n(With joyful song, I delight sorrowful minds, dispel heavy cares, and relieve labour.)nAn allegory for Geometry shows a woman measuring a globe with compasses, holding a set square, while a man observes closely. Various instruments and academic books lie in the foreground. Inscription:n"Terrarum tractus, et latas metior oras, ingenio gaudens subtile, et acumine mentis"n(I measure the tracts of lands and wide regions, rejoicing in subtle intellect and sharpness of mind.)nPlate 7: AstronomynA woman in an elegant costume passionately sings and plays a harpsichord, her music filling the air with enchantment. Inscription:n"Ardua stelliferi perlustro sydera coeli, et ruteli scrutor sublimes etheris orbes"n(I survey the lofty stars of the celestial sky and explore the sublime orbits of radiant ether.)nThe Latin verses accompanying these engravings are attributed to Cornelis Schonaeus,

Engraver: Drebbel, Cornelis (1572-1633)

First published: Amsterdam: Janssonius, Johannes

Image Size (cm): 18×13

Mapmaker: Goltzius, Hendrick (1558-1617)

Price: 5,500

Primary Category: Prints & Related Material

Rarity: R3 Uncommon – dealers can usually obtain a copy

Sheet size (cm): 27.5×18.3

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: ca. 1597