https://hist231.hist.sites.carleton.edu/files/original/c0d9d308eedf9cf7239a20da6a8656a9.jpg fdcc166504fd846a20a1efbb058c0ecd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Book of Physiognomy Alternative Title An alternative name for the resource. The distinction between titles and alternative titles is application-specific. Liber physiognomiae Description An account of the resource Contrary to its title, the Liber Physiognomiae is not primarily a text of physiognomy but rather astrology, describing the prevailing belief that the position and movement of heavenly bodies could be used as an accurate predictor of future events. The manuscript is best known for its descriptions of the destiny of both men and women born under the influence of each zodiac sign. Accompanying these descriptions is a personification of each zodiac sign’s ruling planet, that is to say the planet considered to hold dominion over each horoscope, flanked by a man and woman. The depiction of each planet seems based upon their pagan namesake. For example, Saturn, named after the ruler of the ancient titans who preexist the gods, is shown as a wizened, stately figure. These depictions also bear iconographical similarities to a number of frescoes in Padua’s Palazzo della Ragione created during a period of renewed interest in both ancient Greek and Arabic astrology potentially spurred by the influence of Pietro d’Abano (1257-1315 CE), an Italian native and well known astrologer. Pietro d’Abano is also associated with many other aspects of the Liber Physiognomiae. He wrote at least one section on healthy eating, and he potentially compiled many of the texts that make up the manuscript over a century before this copy was made circa 1440. Pietro was an interesting contributor to the field of astrology during his time, ascribing far more importance to the medical value of astrology than many of his contemporaries. He was also frequently associated with the occult both during and after his life, a condemnation that led him to appear twice before the Inquisition in both Paris and Padua, as well as the posthumous burning of his body. The manuscript that we see was penned by three different scribes with its recipient likely a member of Ferrara’s Este family. This connection is based upon the text (which is written in Latin) as well as the relatively well-rendered state of the book itself, but remains far from absolute as there is no concrete evidence of the book’s ownership before the 18th century. Still, there is strong evidence that the Etse family did place real value on the results of astrological divination with Marquess Leonello d'Este (1407-1450 CE) famously changing his wardrobe’s color scheme in response to the current planetary ruler. The most eye-catching aspect of the volume are the two volvelles positioned on the front and back pages of the manuscript. These volvelles would be used to calculate various items of astrological significance with the front volvelle operating as an astrolabe for the calculation of latitude and the back volvelle being used to calculate the timing of sunrise and sunset. Though the earliest volvelles date around the mid to late 13th century, well before the illumination of the Liber Physiognomiae, the use of volvelles for astrological calculations is a relatively later innovation, the history of which places the Liber Physiognomiae as a fairly early adopter of the technology, preexisting the 16th century boom in astrological volvelles.(Theo Greiff) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Modena, Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Liber physiognomiae, Lat. 697 = a.W.8.20 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Map in manuscript Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Liber physiognomiae, ed. by Paola Di Pietro Lombardi. Modena: Il Bulino, 2000. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1440 CE Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Manuscript Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Special Collections, Carleton College, Northfield, MN Relation A related resource <a href="https://www.facsimilefinder.com/facsimiles/liber-physiognomiae-facsimile" target="_blank" title="Pictures of Facsimile" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liber physiognomiae at Facsimile Finder</a> Language A language of the resource Latin Type The nature or genre of the resource Cosmographical Diagram Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://bridge.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991016064409702971&context=L&vid=01BRC_INST:CCO&lang=en&search_scope=CCO_MyCampus_PCI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Liber%20Physiognomiae&offset=0">Special Collections (Books, Quarto) (BF1726 .L53 2000)</a> Spatial Coverage Spatial characteristics of the resource. Cosmos References A related resource that is referenced, cited, or otherwise pointed to by the described resource. Crupi, G. “Volvelles of Knowledge: Origin and Development of an Instrument of Scientific Imagination (13th -17th centuries).” JLIS.it 10: 2 (May 2019): 1-27. DOI: 10.4403/jlis.it-12534. Rutkin, H. Darrel. "Astrology in Society, Politics and Culture" in Sapientia Astrologica: Astrology, Magic and Natural Knowledge, ca. 1250-1800 , pp. 423-464. Vol. 1. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10779-6_11. Smoller, Laura Ackerman. "Review of Médicine, Astrologie et Magie Entre Moyen Âge et Renaissance: Autour de Pietro d’Abano.” Aestimatio : Critical Reviews in the History of Science. 10 (2015):319–29. https://doi.org/10.33137/aestimatio.v10i0.26045. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights for maps held by individual publishers and institutions. Thumbnails displayed constitute fair use. 15th century Astrology Este Family Horoscope Italy Vovelles