Description
A diagram from Agrippa’s ‘Three Books of Occult Philosophy’. There are six in all, each showing a human figure inscribed within various geometrical shapes. Possibly inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s classic ‘Vitruvian Man’, these delightful diagrams may not display the same level of mastery of the human form as Leonardo’s, but are nonetheless attractive and intriguing in their own right.
This one is quite similar to Leonardo’s Vitruvian man – with arms held outstretched above the shoulders, in line with the top of the head, the human figure is surrounded by a circle with the centre at the navel. Leonardo states “If you open your legs enough that your head is lowered by 1/14 of your height and raise your arms enough that your extended fingers touch the line of the top of your head, let you know that the centre of the ends of the open limbs will be the navel”. It’s not entirely clear why this guy doesn’t have his legs apart like in this diagram, or for that matter why he’s standing on a little box.
You can find all six of our ‘Geometric Proportions’ designs using the links below:
Geometric Proportions of the Human Body (No.1)
Geometric Proportions of the Human Body (No.2)
Geometric Proportions of the Human Body (No.3)
Geometric Proportions of the Human Body (No.4)
Geometric Proportions of the Human Body (No.5)
Geometric Proportions of the Human Body (No.6)
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa’s “Three Books of Occult Philosophy” (De Occulta Philosophia libri III) is a significant work during the Renaissance, exploring the relationship between magic and religion. Originally published in 1531 and completed in 1533, the three books cover elemental, celestial, and intellectual magic. Agrippa discusses astrology, Kabbalah, numerology, angels, and the virtues associated with these elements. He also explores their applications in medicine, alchemy, ceremonial magic, and more, drawing from Hebrew, Greek, and Chaldean sources.
Classic 100% cotton tee with taped neck and shoulders, and a double seam at the sleeves and bottom hem. Eldon Threads logo printed discreetly on the reverse as an outer label just below the neck. Open-end yarn. Tubular fabric. Fabric weight: 5.0–5.3 oz/yd² (170-180 g/m²).
Let ELDON THREADS inspire you with ancient lore in the face of ever-changing times…
