Frontispiece to Opticorum Libri Sex
Date
1613
Creator
Theodor Galle (1571 - 1633, Flemish) , Engraver
After
Peter Paul Rubens (1577 - 1640, Flemish) , Draughtsman
Object type
Library reference
RCN 24525
Material
Technique
Subject
Description
Illustrated frontispiece to Opticorum libri sex (Six Books of Optics) by Flemish mathematician and physicist François d'Aguilon (1567-1617). Engraved after an original drawing by Peter Paul Rubens, the illustration features many optical symbols drawn from classical mythology.
The goddess Juno is shown at the top of the engraving holding a pyramid and a wand topped with an open eye, a peacock can be seen beside her. The messenger god Mercury is shown on the left edge, holding his caduceus staff and the head of the all-seeing god Argus. The goddess Minerva is shown on the right edge, with the head of the gorgon Medusa seen on her shield.
Inscribed: ‘FRANCISCI/AGUILONII/E SOCIETATE IESU/OPTICORUM/LIBRI SEX/Philosophis iuxta ac Mathematicis/utiles.’ Inscribed in the cartouche below: ‘ANTVERPIAE/EX OFFICINA PLANTINIANA,/Apud Viduam et Filios Io. Moreti./M. DC. XIII.’
François d'Aguilon (1567-1617), Flemish mathematician and physicist, was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.
The goddess Juno is shown at the top of the engraving holding a pyramid and a wand topped with an open eye, a peacock can be seen beside her. The messenger god Mercury is shown on the left edge, holding his caduceus staff and the head of the all-seeing god Argus. The goddess Minerva is shown on the right edge, with the head of the gorgon Medusa seen on her shield.
Inscribed: ‘FRANCISCI/AGUILONII/E SOCIETATE IESU/OPTICORUM/LIBRI SEX/Philosophis iuxta ac Mathematicis/utiles.’ Inscribed in the cartouche below: ‘ANTVERPIAE/EX OFFICINA PLANTINIANA,/Apud Viduam et Filios Io. Moreti./M. DC. XIII.’
François d'Aguilon (1567-1617), Flemish mathematician and physicist, was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.