Thesis on the arts and sciences 1664

Johann Jakob Thurneysen the Elder created this print, “Thesis on the Arts and Sciences,” in Basel, Switzerland, sometime in the 17th century. It presents an allegory, where female figures representing the arts and sciences gather in a classical setting. This was a period when universities and academies across Europe were solidifying their roles in shaping knowledge and culture. The image invokes classical architecture and iconography to lend authority to these fields of study. We see allegorical figures of Architecture, Geometry, and Astronomy, their identities revealed by their instruments. The winged putto holding a banner reading “MENS AGITAT” or “mind in motion” emphasizes the intellectual drive behind these pursuits. But the print also reflects the social hierarchies of its time. The figures are idealized and presented as the domain of the elite. To fully understand the print's message, we can research the patronage system, the role of academies, and the relationship between art, science, and power in 17th-century Basel. This helps us consider how art both reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.