Frontispiece of "Aerarium Philosophiae Mathematicae" by Mario Bettini 1648

This is the frontispiece of "Aerarium Philosophiæ Mathematicæ," engraved by Francesco Curti in the 17th century. Curti used the intaglio process, cutting lines into a copper plate, inking it, and then using a press to transfer the image onto paper. The result has a crisp, precise quality. The print teems with figures, objects, and complex architectural space. Look closely, and you'll notice the figures on the left, hammering away at rough stone, slowly transforming it into architectural elements. This reminds us that even the most abstract knowledge relies on labor – on the human capacity to shape raw materials. This was an era in which craft and science were closely linked. The skilled work required to produce instruments, maps, and printed books was essential to the advancement of knowledge. Curti’s print invites us to consider the deep relationship between thinking and making, and the often-unacknowledged work that goes into intellectual achievement.