Alciato the Animal Observer: On the Description of Animal Behaviour in the Emblematum Liber

Karl A.E. Enenkel

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22 Alciato the Animal Observer

On the Description of Animal Behaviour in the Emblematum Liber

In: Figurations animaliÃ¨res Ã travers les textes et lâimage en Europe

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Karl A.E. Enenkel

Karl A.E. Enenkel
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 311â326

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004472013_024

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The contribution focuses on of the description of animal behaviour in Alciatoâs emblems. It is demonstrated that the description of animal behaviour has the status of, and functions almost exclusively as, a res significans that triggers a certain symbolical or allegorical interpretation. In order to create an allegorical meaning, it is not necessary that the description of animal behaviour represents the natural one. Other aspects are more important, for example, that the description is firmly anchored in the literary tradition of antiquity, and that it comprises spectacular or curious details. The last aspect is of crucial importance for the transmission of knowledge envisaged by Alciato, viz. the mnemonic function of the description: the more curious and unnatural the behaviour of the animal, the better the emblem will be memorised.

Cette contribution se concentre sur la description du comportement animal dans les emblÃ¨mes dâAlciat. Il a Ã©tÃ© Ã©tabli que la description du comportement animal a le statut de â et fonctionne presque exclusivement comme â res significans qui suscite une interprÃ©tation symbolique ou allÃ©gorique spÃ©cifique. Afin de crÃ©er une signification allÃ©gorique, il nâest pas nÃ©cessaire que le comportement animal dÃ©crit soit un comportement naturel. Dâautres aspects sont plus importants, comme lâancrage de la description dans la tradition littÃ©raire classique, et la prÃ©sence de dÃ©tails spectaculaires ou curieux. Ce dernier aspect est un facteur essentiel pour la transmission des connaissances envisagÃ©e par Alciat, Ã savoir la fonction mnÃ©monique de la description: si le comportement de lâanimal est curieux et non naturel, lâemblÃ¨me sera mieux retenu.

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Figurations animaliÃ¨res Ã travers les textes et lâimage en Europe

Du Moyen-Ãge Ã nos jours Essais en hommage Ã Paul J. Smith

Series:Â Faux Titre Online, Volume: 453Â andÂ Faux Titre, Volume: 453

Cover Figurations animaliÃ¨res Ã travers les textes et lâimage en Europe

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004472013

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 25 Oct 2021

Subjects
- Art History
  - Art History
- Literature and Cultural Studies

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Partie 2 Origines et influences

Partie 3 Symbolisations animaliÃ¨res

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22 Alciato the Animal Observer

On the Description of Animal Behaviour in the Emblematum Liber

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Figurations animaliÃ¨res Ã travers les textes et lâimage en Europe

Du Moyen-Ãge Ã nos jours Essais en hommage Ã Paul J. Smith

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Figurations animaliÃ¨res Ã travers les textes et lâimage en Europe

Du Moyen-Ãge Ã nos jours Essais en hommage Ã Paul J. Smith