The Angel of the Eighth Sphere (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #48)

The Angel of the Eighth Sphere (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #48)

before 1467

Part of a set. See all set records

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi

(Italian, 15th century)

Italy, Ferrara, 15th century

Engraving

Dudley P. Allen Fund 1924.432.48

Catalogue raisonné: Hind E.I. 48a

Location

not on view

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Description

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named Firmaments of the Universe. This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity (Prima Causa) from which everything was originated.

Here, Octava Spera (Eight Sphere or the Angel of the Eight Sphere) is personified as a full-length winged figure, turned to left, and holding up a starry sphere in its hands. This stationary angel embodies the firmament as a fixed pattern of stars, which according to Ptolemaic thought was believed to revolve around the planet earth.

See also
Collection: 
PR - Engraving
Department: 
Prints
Type of artwork: 
Print
Medium: 
Engraving
Credit line: 
Dudley P. Allen Fund

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