Liber Physiognomiae

Liber Physiognomiae

The so-called Liber Physiognomiae is a collected volume dealing with the astrology and medicine of the Middle Ages. The hand-written text contains 72 lavishly illustrated pages, which are divided into various thematic areas. The book contains two astrolabes, this astronomical instrument consists of two concentric discs equipped with pointers, which turn within two outer circles divided into 360 degrees. The signs of the zodiac and the months of the year are displayed on these fixed circles. The interesting and insightful work belongs among the most beloved codices of the famous Biblioteca Estense Universitaria in Modena.

The Beginnings of Humanism in Italy

The Liber Physiognomiae was used in 15th century Italy as an instrument for the interpretation of the future. The positive and negative character traits associated with the various zodiac signs are described in the astrological manuscript. Other articles deal with the individual days of the week, the four seasons, the zodiac and its planets, as well as the influence of the moon and the tables depicting the months of the year. In the middle and closing sections of the work there is a commentary on the works of Pythagoras. A particularly interesting passage addresses a biblical story about the dreams of the prophet Daniel. Here, astrological symbols were combined with traditional elements from the interpretation of dreams. The medicinal advice of Pietro d’Abano is also interesting. The manuscript delightfully documents the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, from faith and superstition to science and research.

Superb Painting

The pages of the precious manuscript show high-quality depictions in dreamy watercolors. Its pictures are reminiscent of the painting style of the artist Antonio Pisanello, a trailblazer of the Renaissance in Northern Italy. However, it has never been clarified whether Pisanello was actually the creator of the manuscript. The Marquis of Ferrara, Leonello d’Este, is believed to be the patron and the ruling House of Este was one of the richest noble families in Italy and produced some of the greatest art patrons of the Renaissance.