1516 Frontis for Plinys Natural History
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1516 Frontis for Plinys Natural History
1516 Frontispiece woodcut, with Francois Regnaults printers device, for Pliny the Elders " Natural History". Plinys Natural History (written up to AD 77) was the first encyclopaedia and remained the major source of knowledge throughout the middle ages. It was one of the first books to be printed in the Renaissance. The elephant and castle printers mark in this book is reproduced on the ceiling of the Great Hall of the Library of Congress (Jefferson Building). The Elephant pictured is after Hanno the Popes white elephant sketched in 1514. By coincidence, Durers Rhinoceros arrived in Lisbon in 1515 and was housed in king Manuels menagerie. Manuel arranged a fight between the Rhino and an elephant to test Plinys assertion that the two are bitter enemies. The young elephant ran from the field in panic. Pliny died in approaching the eruption of Vesuvius. Hence Plinian eruption
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6319481
© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com
16th Century Black And White Early Elephant Encyclopaedia Library Natural History Pliny Pliny The Elder Printing Renaissance Roman Vesuvius Wood Cut Incunable Mono Chrome Old Book
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the frontispiece woodcut from Pliny's Natural History, printed in 1516. Pliny's Natural History was a groundbreaking encyclopaedia written in ancient Rome and remained a significant source of knowledge throughout the Middle Ages. This Renaissance-era book was one of the first to be printed, marking an important milestone in the history of printing. The frontispiece features an intricate illustration that includes Francois Regnault's printer's device alongside an image of an elephant and castle. Interestingly, this same printers mark can be found on the ceiling of the Great Hall at the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building. The elephant depicted in this artwork is inspired by Hanno, Pope Leo X's white elephant who was sketched in 1514. In a curious coincidence, Albrecht Durer's famous Rhinoceros arrived in Lisbon just a year later and was housed with King Manuel I's menagerie. To test Pliny's assertion that elephants and rhinos were bitter enemies, Manuel arranged for them to engage in combat. However, upon encountering each other on the field, the young elephant fled fearfully. Tragically, Pliny died shortly before Vesuvius erupted with catastrophic force. The term "Plinian eruption" now refers to volcanic eruptions characterized by massive ash clouds and pyroclastic flows. Paul D. Stewart beautifully captures this historical moment through his monochrome depiction of this early Roman illustration from Pliny’s Natural History - a true testament to both artistry and scientific exploration during that era.
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