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Original file
About This Work
This engraving serves as the title page for a work describing a 'Physico-Mathematical' instrument intended to simplify the study of astronomy and science. The Latin text is framed by a symmetrical border of scrolling floral and foliate patterns. A circular library stamp from the National Library in Rome is visible in the bottom-left margin.
This work documents one of Kircher's earliest 'universal machines,' utilizing rotating paper wheels (volvelles) inspired by the combinatoric logic of Ramon Llull. It reflects the 17th-century Jesuit ambition to synthesize all physical and celestial knowledge into a single, navigable system.
Inscriptions(Latin)
SPECVLA MELITENSIS ENCYCLICA, Hoc est, SYNTAGMA NOVVM INSTRVMENTORVM Physico-Mathematicorum; IN QVO, Quicquid vel ad Astronomicas, aut Physicas ijs adnexas di- sciplinas, pertinet, nouo ordine, methodo, & summa faci- litate iuxta, atq; breuitate per rotas, cyclosq; artificiosè dispositos, digestum, repra- sentatumque spectatur. In gratiam Generosissimorum Equitum Hierosolymitano- rum explicata, & in 125. Propositiones digesta Ab ILLVSTRISSIMO, AC REVERENDISSIMO F. SALVATORE IMBROLL, Sacræ Religionis Hierosolymitanæ PRIORE GENERALI. BIBLIOTECA NAZ. ROMA VITTORIO EMANUELE NEAPOLI, Typis Secundini Roncagliolo. 1638. Superiorum permissu.