Eskrich / Alciati

Pierre Eskrich
Numquam Procrastinandum
(never procrastinate)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

An elk holds the motto of the Aliciati family; this states in Greek, "nothing should be postponed."  To one who asked how he achieved so much in so short a time, Alexander the Great famously replied, "by never postponing things."  That quality is represented by the elk: you would be hard-pressed to decide whether it is stronger or swifter.

Pierre Eskrich
Sapientia Humana, Stultitia Est Apud Deum
(human wisdom is folly to God)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

What can I say?  What name shall I give to this double-form monster, it being neither a man nor a snake?  It is instead a man without feet.  It could be called a man with serpent feet or a serpent with human head.  The man farted the serpent and the serpent belched out the man: it has no human ending and no beastly beginning.  Such was Cecrops, who formerly ruled over learned Athens, and thus the giants were given birth by Mother Earth.  This image refers to one who is crafty but lacking religion, only attending to worldly things. 

Pierre Eskrich
Ficta Religio
(false religion)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

A most beautiful whore occupies a royal chair and wears the purple peplum of honor.  She distributes wine to all, pouring from a full vessel.  All around her, people fall down drunk.  This is how Babylon is pictured, she who traps the foolish with her seductive beauty and false religion.    

Pierre Eskrich
Silentium
(silence)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

As long as he remains silent, in no way can the fool be distinguished from the wise man.  His tongue and his voice are the proclaimers of his stupidity.  Therefore let him press his lips together and with his finger make the sign of silence like the Egyptian god Harpocrates. 

Pierre Eskrich
Nec Quaestioni Quidem Cedendum
(never yield under questioning)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Leaena of Athens is represented as a lioness because of her fierce spirit.  Though tortured on the rack, she betrayed no one.

Pierre Eskrich
Bonus A Divitibus Nihil Timendum
(the good should not need to fear the rich)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Marius and Subbardus have their houses on either side of mine.  Since they are disgracefully rich they are continuously building higher and bigger, depriving me of daylight.  These twin harpies intend to plunder me like those who plagued Phineas.  They would drive me out altogether were it not for my integrity and determination.  Seeking only honesty, my resolution will be like Zetes and Calaїs, the Boreads who banished the harpies.  

Pierre Eskrich
In Fraudulentos
(concerning deceivers)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

The spotted newt, living hidden and praying at empty tombs, represents jealousy and crooked deceit.  Whoever drinks wine in which this lizard has been dipped will soon discover ugly spots on his face.  Such wine is often the means of revenge for deceived mistresses and wives.  

Pierre Eskrich
In Temerarios
(concerning the reckless)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Phaeton dared to drive the horses of the sun.  He scorched the earth, spreading damage, and at last fell from the chariot he had recklessly appropriated.  Much the same often happens to rulers, driven toward the stars by overweening ambition.  Spreading misfortune, they bring ruin upon themselves – and ultimately must pay for their crimes. 

Pierre Eskrich
In Eos Qui Supra Vires Quicquam Audent
(concerning those who dare beyond their powers)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Seeing Hercules asleep, a tribe of pygmies believe they have a chance to overcome him.  But they do not recognize the limits of their powers.  Once awakened, Hercules crushes these enemies like fleas. 

Pierre Eskrich
Philautia
(self-love)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Narcissus, taking excessive pleasure in his own beauty, was changed into a flower that induces stupor.  Self-love is the scourge of genius and has ruined many learned men.  Unappreciative of the ways of the ancients and seeking novelty, they pass on nothing but their own fantasies. 

Pierre Eskrich
In Avaros
(concerning the avaricious)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Strangers can be kinder than those we know.  Riding on a dolphin, Arion sings this song: "The minds of beasts are not as cruel as are the minds of miserly men.  Those they rob and throw overboard are rescued by the fish."   

Pierre Eskrich
In Parasitos
(concerning parasites)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Accept these crabs we give to you, for such gifts are appropriate to your character.  They have vigilant eyes and several rows of feet armed with claws, and their bellies are enormous.  

Pierre Eskrich
In Nothos
(concerning bastards)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

Oh bastards, forever celebrate the honor of Hercules, for he was the first of your spurious race.  After his birth he could not become a god until Jupiter and Alcmena had tricked Juno into supplying him with her own milk. 

Pierre Eskrich
Aemulatio Impar
(unequal rivalry)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

The degenerate kite accompanies the high-flying eagle, sometimes able to snatch a falling scrap.  The bream pursues the mullet, the former eagerly devouring what the latter rejects.  And this is what a certain drunken fool also does to me.  After I have left the lecture-hall, the students make use of that blind man as a guide.     

Pierre Eskrich
Cum Larvis Non Luctandum
(do not fight with ghosts)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

The great Hector, mortally wounded by Achilles, addressed those tying reins around his ankles in order to drag him behind the enemy chariot: "Tear me apart, since this is your desire.  Thus do even cowardly rabbits pull out the whiskers of a dead lion."   

Pierre Eskrich
Pax
(peace)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

The fierce elephant, accustomed to victory in battle, must also submit its neck to the yoke.  Disciplined by the goad, it draws the chariots of emperors.  Even a beast such as this recognizes the authority of its masters, relinquishing its weapons and undertaking the obligations of peace.

Pierre Eskrich
Antiquissima Quaeque Commentitia
(that which is most ancient is imaginary)
ca. 1540-50
woodcut
(illustration to Emblematum Liber of Andrea Alciati)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wulfenbüttel

"Old man from Pallenia, oh Proteus, you have as many shapes as an actor has roles.  Why are your members sometimes that of a man and sometimes that of an animal?  Why have you no fixed figure of your own?"

 "I reveal the signs belonging to the most remote ages.  Each man imagines then according to his fancy."