Diagrammatic Thinking and the Division of Life into Ages
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7146/ageculturehumanities.v10i.147209Abstract
This article discusses the concept of diagrammatic thinking and its role in the development of images and knowledge in the Middle Ages, specifically in relation to the representation of stages of life and aging. It focuses on the work of Francesco da Barberino, a jurist and poet, who created various diagrams in his writings and the first known female cycle of the stages of life in his Officiolo, a book of hours of about 1306. It highlights how these diagrams were used to visualize ideas related to aging and human life, and how they evolved alongside advancements in understanding the physical world, the cosmos and theological and juridical concepts. The text emphasizes how these diagrams were not only representations but also acted as complementary sources of information that could shape the viewer’s interpretation. It also explores the context in which these diagrams were created, including various influential works and scholars. Furthermore, it examines the connection between diagrams and juridical thinking, as well as the role of visual representation in expressing legal and social norms. The text highlights the significance of picture invention in relation to intellectual achievements in Padova as a center for intellectual exchange during this period.
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