id: 106396 accession number: 1924.432.50 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1924.432.50 updated: 2023-08-23 19:07:25.809000 The Empyrean Sphere (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #50), before 1467. Master of the E-Series Tarocchi (Italian, 15th century). Engraving; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Dudley P. Allen Fund 1924.432.50 title: The Empyrean Sphere (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #50) title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: before 1467 creation date earliest: 1457 creation date latest: 1467 current location: creditline: Dudley P. Allen Fund copyright: --- culture: Italy, Ferrara, 15th century technique: engraving department: Prints collection: PR - Engraving type: Print find spot: catalogue raisonne: Hind E.I. 50a --- CREATORS * Master of the E-Series Tarocchi (Italian, 15th century) - artist --- measurements: state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: inscription: Inscription scratched out at the top of the print. Lettered below the image of Prima Causa (First Cause): [A] / [PRIMA CAUSA XXXXX] / [50] translation: remark: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE --- fun fact: digital description: This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named Firmaments of the Universe. This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity (Prima Causa) from which everything was originated.

Here, Prima Causa (First Cause) personified God himself. It is shown as concentric circles representing the surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected. This is a diagram of the universe. It displays earth at the center and make up of four circles standing for the four elements (earth, water, air, and fire). Beyond earth are the seven circles symbolizing each planet. It follows the primum mobile and finally the three radiant circles of the Trinity. wall description: --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1924.432.50/1924.432.50_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1924.432.50/1924.432.50_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1924.432.50/1924.432.50_full.tif