Emblem of Lucrezia Gonzaga 1500 - 1566

Giorgio Ghisi created this engraving, Emblem of Lucrezia Gonzaga, in Italy in the 16th century. The image depicts a deer in a landscape, collared and standing beneath a laurel tree, and is surrounded by classical motifs. Emblems like this were popular at the time amongst elite circles as a way of visually representing a moral idea. Looking closely, we see the phrase ‘NESSUN MI TOCCIO’ on the tree, which translates to ‘Nobody touches me’. When coupled with the image of the deer, which would have been understood as a symbol of chastity, we can assume this emblem reflects Gonzaga’s personal motto, a warning not to violate her. Historical documents such as letters and inventories from the period help us understand how these emblems functioned within the aristocratic culture of Renaissance Italy. Far from being merely decorative, this engraving reflects the social and political concerns of its time. We see a society concerned with preserving female virtue, and the social standing of powerful families.