dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaMELENCOLIA I: The physics of Albrecht Duerer
| Authors | David Ritz Finkelstein |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0602185 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0602185 |
Abstract
Duerer's engraving ``MELENCOLIA I'' was circulated in two versions not previously distinguished. Besides their conspicuous early Renaissance scientific instruments and tools, they contain numerous apparently unreported concealments whose detection reveals heresies expressed in the work. The main one is encoded in the motto {\em MELENCOLIA I} itself: Natural Philosophy, not Mathematical Philosophy or Theological Philosophy, is the way to knowledge. Unusual optical illusions and subliminal images, differing between the two versions, declare the relativity and ambiguity of perception, and indicate that the work was a Humanist document intended for a Humanist viewership.
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"abstract": "Duerer\u0027s engraving ``MELENCOLIA I\u0027\u0027 was circulated in two versions not\npreviously distinguished. Besides their conspicuous early Renaissance\nscientific instruments and tools, they contain numerous apparently unreported\nconcealments whose detection reveals heresies expressed in the work. The main\none is encoded in the motto {\\em MELENCOLIA I} itself: Natural Philosophy, not\nMathematical Philosophy or Theological Philosophy, is the way to knowledge.\nUnusual optical illusions and subliminal images, differing between the two\nversions, declare the relativity and ambiguity of perception, and indicate that\nthe work was a Humanist document intended for a Humanist viewership.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0602185",
"authors": [
"David Ritz Finkelstein"
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"categories": [
"physics.hist-ph"
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"title": "MELENCOLIA I: The physics of Albrecht Duerer",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0602185"
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