11489 Girolamo Ruscelli (1504–1566) – Emblem of Michele Codignac – Engraving (1566)
"Michele Codignac." This engraving features the personal device of Michele Codignac set within a monumental architectural frame. The central circular image depicts a serpent shedding its skin at the base of a juniper tree, accompanied by the Latin motto "Altera Melior" (The other is better). This allegory represents renewal, transformation, and the pursuit of a superior state of being. The surrounding cartouche is supported by two classical statues of nude male figures standing on pedestals, with a large grotesque mask and reclining figures decorating the upper pediment. This work was published in Venice as part of Le Imprese Illustri, a celebrated sixteenth-century collection of symbolic devices belonging to the European nobility.
Girolamo Ruscelli was an influential Italian humanist, editor, and polymath based in Venice during the mid-sixteenth century. He was a central figure in the flourishing Venetian publishing industry, where he oversaw the production of essential texts in geography, literature, and heraldry. His work Le Imprese Illustri is considered one of the most important examples of Renaissance emblem literature, combining sophisticated copperplate engravings with deep philosophical and historical analysis. Ruscelli's editorial precision and his ability to synthesize classical knowledge with contemporary social status made his publications highly sought after by the European intellectual elite.
Artist or Maker: Girolamo Ruscelli.
Dimensions: Approximately 26 cm x 19 cm.
Medium: Engraving.
Date: 1566.
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
| Estimate | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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