Emblem XLII — Nature as Guide

A philosopher walks by lantern-light through the dark, following a woman's footprints — Nature going before him, a staff in his hand and spectacles on his nose. Emblem XLII of Atalanta Fugiens, 1617, sets out the book's whole method in one picture: let Nature lead, and use reason, experience, and reading as your lamp, staff, and glasses. Michael Maier wrote the verse; Matthäus Merian engraved the scene. Of the fifty emblems this is the one most quoted, because it is less a riddle than a rule — do not run ahead of the natural world, but track it, patiently, by the little light you have.

Maker

Michael Maier; engraved by Matthäus Merian

Date

1617

Medium of the original

Engraving

Original held by

Published Oppenheim, 1617 · scan: Wikimedia Commons

Credit

Published Oppenheim, 1617 · scan: Wikimedia Commons

Rights

Public domain, verified

Catalogue number

PA-00458