Abstract
The image represents a construction, the foundations of which reside in reality and the imaginative ability of the artist who, both voluntarily and involuntarily, conveys messages. For this reason, it is so difficult to grasp its full meaning, especially if it is a sixteenth century creation. As a historical source, the researcher makes an in-depth analysis of it, seeking to find details of the theme, date, the workshop and the historical context, by comparing it to other textual and iconographic sources of the same period. This is the type of exercise we wish to conduct based on Alicato’s Emblematum Liber, looking at the pictura, that together with the inscriptio and the subscriptio forms the emblem Quod non capit Christus, rapit fiscus. We compare three editions made on different dates and at different places to carry out a comparative observation. The representation of a sovereign squeezing a sponge and, in two of the examples, a scene of execution of justice, provide comments on related themes: royal power and its symbols; the ruler as a source of justice; attitudes in relation to rising groups in society; behaviour considered corrupt; manifestations of liberality or exemplary punishment. Conclusions are sought from the political, social, financial, and religious context of each creation.
Presenters
Maria Leonor García Da CruzProfessora Auxiliar, History, Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa (FLUL) / School of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Alciato, Justice, Sovereignty, Religious wars, Corruption
