11487 Girolamo Ruscelli (1504–1566) – Emblem of Girolamo Faleti with Rose and Onions – Engraving (1566)
"Girolamo Faleti, Conte di Trignano." This engraving features the personal device of Girolamo Faleti, an Italian diplomat, poet, and historian. The central image depicts a rose bush growing in the midst of several onions, an allegorical representation based on the natural observation that onions planted near roses supposedly enhance the flower's fragrance through contrast. The scene is enclosed within an elaborate Renaissance strapwork cartouche featuring two nude figures, a grotesque mask at the top, and cornucopias at the base. A ribbon draped across the rose bush bears the Latin motto "Per Opposita" (Through Opposites). This plate was published in Venice as part of Le Imprese Illustri, serving as a visual and intellectual commentary on the virtue of overcoming adversity or utilizing contrasting forces to achieve excellence.
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. His legacy remains significant for codifying the complex visual language of early modern symbolic art.
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.
| Värdering | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 24.4% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 6 SEK |
Dahlströms Rare Prints
Harju maakond, Tallinn
Lasnamäe linnaosa, Ruunaoja tn 3, 11415
Estland
info@dahlstromsrareprints.com
© Software Copyright 2026 Skeleton. All rights reserved.