Cesare Ripa

Italian writer, about 1560 to 1622, whose Iconologia set out how to draw abstract ideas and explained every attribute of every figure; the English edition of 1709 was engraved by Isaac Fuller for Pierce Tempest.

2 works in the archive, quoted on 2 pictures

VerityCesare Ripa, device; engraved by Isaac Fuller, 1709 edition, the Italian text first published 1593Decoded
The Force of JusticeCesare Ripa, device; engraved by Isaac Fuller, 1709 edition, the Italian text first published 1593Decoded

Readings given

3 passages on 2 pictures in the archive, from Iconologia, or Moral Emblems.

VerityCesare Ripa, device; engraved by Isaac Fuller, 1709 edition, the Italian text first published 1593

the explanation facing the plate, page 78 of the London edition of 1709

“This naked Beauty, holds a Sun in her right Hand; in her left, a Book open, with a Palm; under one Foot the Globe of the World.”

“Naked, because downright Simplicity is natural to her. The Sun shews her great Delight in Clearness. The Book, that the Truth of Things may be found in good Authors. The Palm, her Rising the more she is depress'd. The Globe, that being immortal, she is the strongest of all Things in the World, and therefore tramples upon it.”
The Force of JusticeCesare Ripa, device; engraved by Isaac Fuller, 1709 edition, the Italian text first published 1593

the explanation facing the plate, page 32 of the London edition of 1709

“A Lady in Royal Apparel; crown'd; about to sit down upon the Back of a Lion, and seems to lay her Hand upon a Sword, which denotes Justice, as the Lion does Strength; so that the Strength of the latter submits to the former, i. e. Justice.”