The thesis is a survey of 291 frontispieces and illustrated title pages in European books on astronomy from the 17th century. It is a quantitative and qualitative survey of how motifs are related to consumption, identification and display. Elements in the motifs related to factual content as opposed to those aimed to raise the perceived value of astronomy are distinguished. The quantitative study shows that astronomical phenomena (90 per cent) and scientific instruments (62 per cent, or as much as 86 per cent if only titles with illustrations occupying an entire page are considered) are the most common motifs to inform the reader of the genre. Besides these, a wide range of depicted features indicate the particularity of each title. Different means for raising the value of astronomy and its attributes are identified. The interplay of “real” or “credible” elements with fictional ones was used to attract attention, create positive associations and promote acquisition and reading. The motifs mainly promote delectation and erudition, although some attract attention through their deliberately enigmatic design and a few through fear. The survey determines prevalent settings (palaces, the theatre, gardens, the wilderness and the heavens), activities (skilful use of instruments, conversations or disputes), references to the ancients and heraldic components. They present both the self-image of astronomers at the time and ideal components that contain connotations of an enhanced reality. This self-image also contributed to the definition of normative values for astronomers in the 17th century. The affinities between painters and astronomers are examined. In addition, an analysis of descriptions of frontispieces is undertaken, which shows that the user of the book was expected to devote considerable time to the frontispiece in order to understand all of its particular features and that the illustrations were suitable for display and learned digression.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New Mexico, 1974. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 260-268). Also issued in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New Mexico, 1974. / Includes vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 260-268).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T17:27:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniel Eid Tucci.pdf: 2413357 bytes, checksum: 6b5167fc04d712802563472d458b86a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-14 / This dissertation aims to examine the role of imagination in the work New Science of the Neapolitan philosopher Giambattista Vico (1668-1744). The focus of the research is to present the imagination as a concept of unity of knowledge and function of knowledge. For this purpose the dissertation begins with the image title page analysis present in the Scienza Nuova of 1744. This analysis will explore the design, trends and influences that led to the drafting of the image on the title page. An explanation of key concepts relevant follows for interpretation of the viquian opus, decoded from the hieroglyphs present on the title page. After showing the inventiveness of Vico to apply his imagination theory in his own work to achieve the reader, the research seeks to deepen the imagination of the theme as sensorial knowledge of the first people, the poetic wisdom, universal fantastic, the operation of the poetic mind and its requirements as a viquian topical and common sense. This intent aims to understand the contemporary attitude of Vico in his time, his conflicts against divergent school of thought and his concern for the future of humanity / A dissertação tem por objetivo analisar o papel da imaginação na obra Ciência Nova do filósofo napolitano Giambattista Vico (1668-1744). O enfoque da pesquisa é apresentar os conceitos da noção de imaginação como unidade e função do conhecimento. Para tal propósito a dissertação inicia com a análise do Frontispício presente na Scienza Nuova, de 1744. Tal análise irá explorar a concepção, tendências e influências que levaram à elaboração do Frontispício. Segue-se uma explicação dos principais conceitos relevantes para uma interpretação do opus viquiano, decodificados a partir dos hieróglifos presentes no Frontispício. Após mostrar a inventividade de Vico na aplicação de sua teoria da imaginação em sua própria estratégia para atingir o leitor de sua obra, a pesquisa busca aprofundar o tema da imaginação como conhecimento sensorial dos primeiros povos; a sabedoria poética, os universais fantásticos, o funcionamento da mente poética e seus requisitos como a tópica viquiana e o senso comum. Tal intento visa a compreender a postura contemporânea de Vico , seus conflitos contra a divergente corrente de pensamento e sua preocupação com o futuro da humanidade