Brilliant Minds Neded: a Multi Barrel Illustration of 1511

[fernando]

Fantabulous pictures, Michael.
I love this one; very real .
Fernando

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[Jeff D]

Wasn't there a major European outbreak of ergotism in the early 16th century?

Jeff

[Emanuel]

Aha! Now we know where Salvador Dali got his inspiration from. He ripped off 16th century woodcuts

It does seem like all of these illustrations make some sort of commentary on the times. The jester with the pointed nose is a lier, has a sharp tongue and pointed/sharp wit. He is set up like a siege engine on wheels, so perhaps it refers to tactics of winning sieges through wit, lies, and good oratory skills.

The other siege engines look like experimentations with rams, lances, guns and maybe even a draw-bridge.

The tower and the metronome-like contraption seem to demonstrate some sort of awe or apprehension with machinery and mechanical contraptions. The tower with the connected wheels doesn't seem to do anything, unless it is a signal tower of sorts. The soldier pulling on the rope appears to have a meaningless job...perhaps a comentary on the obsolescence of human labour in the face of mechanization? By that time water and wind mills were already used to drive many industrial/craft processes - milling, blacksmithing, carpentry...

Further down there is a tower with three sets of wheels in a triangular arrangement, connected by gear to a wind turbine...wind-power locomotion anyone?

Just some thoughts...thanks Michael for posting these facinating illustrations.

Emanuel

[Emanuel]

Wow! Michael, the last couple of pictures in the series show what looks like water tanks for breathing underwater. Looks like extended containers with straps to tie around one's body/shoulders, with a hose to breath through. The things are shown underwater, so perhaps we're looking at the first designs for scuba-diving equipment. There are two pictures that actually show men underwater - one is holding a breathing apparatus that even has rope straps to tie around the head...he looks like he's wearing a full suit - we can see the colar around his neck. His groin doesn't look big for erotic purposes, but because this is what it would look like under a tight-fitting suit. The underwater soldier with a mace has a helmet, also looks like a full breathing apparatus...looks like he's fighting sea monsters and fish-men.

Keeping with the water theme, there are two picture of water pumps for irrigation purposes...no obvious mechanics involved, everything is hidden, pretty much like in a motor housing...interesting stuff! No schoolboy doodles here I don't think, these are brilliant for their time.


Regards,
Emanuel

[fernando]

Yes, are there copies or reprints of this work acquirable, Michael ?
Suddenly you will be responsible for the da Vinci's family having to pay copyright fees to Flavius Vegetius Renatus's heirs .
Fernando

Oh, he was a veterinarian .

[fernando]

Here, Emanuel.
Can you handle these ?

http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/...ges/index.html

Fernando

[fernando]

May i (again), Michael ?

Very interesting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publius...getius_Renatus

Fernando

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by fernando

Yes, are there copies or reprints of this work acquirable, Michael ?
Suddenly you will be responsible for the da Vinci's family having to pay copyright fees to Flavius Vegetius Renatus's heirs .
Fernando

Oh, he was a veterinarian .

Hi Fernando,

Believe me, I have been searching for reprints ever since I got my hands on the first original book in the Munich State Library where these scans are taken from. I could not find any reprints.

Apart from that, Vegetius' texts have been reprinted throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in numerous variations, many of which do not contain any illustrations at all. I have found only one other copy printed in Paris in 1534 or 1536 which is profusely illustrated including early firearms.

Let's be patient though. The big libraries keep scanning more and more books from their hidden treasures and publishing them on the web. Within a few years our knowledge will have been immeasurably enriched!

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by Manolo

Aha! Now we know where Salvador Dali got his inspiration from. He ripped off 16th century woodcuts

It does seem like all of these illustrations make some sort of commentary on the times. The jester with the pointed nose is a lier, has a sharp tongue and pointed/sharp wit. He is set up like a siege engine on wheels, so perhaps it refers to tactics of winning sieges through wit, lies, and good oratory skills.

The other siege engines look like experimentations with rams, lances, guns and maybe even a draw-bridge.

The tower and the metronome-like contraption seem to demonstrate some sort of awe or apprehension with machinery and mechanical contraptions. The tower with the connected wheels doesn't seem to do anything, unless it is a signal tower of sorts. The soldier pulling on the rope appears to have a meaningless job...perhaps a comentary on the obsolescence of human labour in the face of mechanization? By that time water and wind mills were already used to drive many industrial/craft processes - milling, blacksmithing, carpentry...

Further down there is a tower with three sets of wheels in a triangular arrangement, connected by gear to a wind turbine...wind-power locomotion anyone?

Just some thoughts...thanks Michael for posting these facinating illustrations.

Emanuel

Hi Emanuel,

In my eyes, your observations and conclusions are stunningly well on the topic. Your technical gift and discerning wit are a bit beyond my limited horizon, I have to admit!

Many thanks for those great comments on that indeed fascinating subject!

Best,
Michael