An elaborate allegorical frontispiece engraving for Athanasius Kircher's "New Science of Sound Production." At the top, a divine light radiates from a triangle containing the name of God in Hebrew. This light is surrounded by a heavenly choir of angels and cherubim playing various instruments, including harps, lutes, and a small organ. Below this, a large winged angel flies through the clouds, blowing a trumpet and holding a banner with the double-headed imperial eagle. A central female figure, representing either Music or Fame, stands atop a classical stone pedestal. She blows a large, curved horn while holding a straight trumpet. In the upper corners, personified winds blow from the clouds. The middle ground features two scenes: a group of Muses on a wooded hillside on the left, and an army of cavalry moving toward ships on the right. At the bottom left, satyrs and mythological figures play horns and pipes. At the bottom right, a bearded philosopher sits under a tree in a listening posture. The names of the artists appear at the bottom: Felix Cheurier as designer and G. And. Wolfgang as engraver.

She sings
of the Emperor's
renowned
deeds of war
original: "Canit Inclyta Cæsaris arma" — This is a play on the opening line of Virgil's Aeneid, "I sing of arms and the man." Here, it directs the music and the book's purpose toward the praise of the Emperor.

OF ATHANASIUS

KIRCHER

Of the Society of Jesus

original: "E Soc. IESV" — This identifies Kircher as a member of the Jesuit order.

PHONURGIA

original: "Phonurgia Nova" — Kircher coined this term from the Greek words for "sound" and "work" or "production." It refers to his new science of acoustics.

Leopold I (1640–1705) was the Holy Roman Emperor. "Always August" was a traditional part of the imperial title, implying majesty and growth.

Felix Cheurier, designer.
G. And. Wolfgang, engraver.