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Capitolo | Crumbling Polyhedra

Crumbling Polyhedra

Perfection Falling to Pieces

Abstract

The representation of regular and irregular solids in perspective is one of the hallmarks of Renaissance visual culture, accompanied by a rediscovery of ancient texts which emphasise the symbolic meaning of the scientiae mathematicae. Polyhedra are thought to be a visible representation of the harmony of creation, a mediating tool for approaching the very mind of God. What is the significance, then, of the depiction of crumbling polyhedra, shown as subject to fracture and disintegration? After investigating their meaning within intellectual, philosophical, and theological contexts, we will examine some case studies (paintings and woodcuts) in which specific apocalypses manifest as crumbling polyhedra.


Open access

Presentato: 01 Ottobre 2024 | Pubblicato 11 Dicembre 2024 | Lingua: en

Keywords Renaissance • Perspective • Visual culture • Polyhedra • Crisis

Copyright © 2024 Anna Bernante. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/978-88-6969-878-1/017


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