Thomas Kirke’s Copy of Philosophical Transactions

In this paper, I discuss a drawing that substituted for an engraving in a copy of Philosophical Transactions once owned by Thomas Kirke (1650–1706, FRS 1693). I suggest that prints allowed Kirke to train his eye as well as his hand. His case is useful for raising further questions about visual representations in early modern science

The Early Royal Society and Visual Culture

Recent studies have fruitfully examined the intersection between early modern science and visual culture by elucidating the functions of images in shaping and disseminating scientific knowledge. Given its rich archival sources, it is possible to extend this line of research in the case of the Royal Society to an examination of attitudes towards images as artefacts –manufactured objects worth commissioning, collecting and studying. Drawing on existing scholarship and material from the Royal Society Archives, I discuss Fellows’ interests in prints, drawings, varnishes, colorants, images made out of unusual materials, and methods of identifying the painter from a painting. Knowledge of production processes of images was important to members of the Royal Society, not only as connoisseurs and collectors, but also as those interested in a Baconian mastery of material processes, including a “history of trades”. Their antiquarian interests led to discussion of painters’ styles, and they gradually developed a visual memorial to an institution through portraits and other visual records.AH/M001938/1 (AHRC

The natural philosophy of Melanchthon and his followers

Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), colleague and ally of Martin Luther, is well known for his educational reforms in Protestant lands. Melanchthon reformed traditional scholastic teachings of Aristotelian philosophy in the arts curriculum along Lutheran principles. For instance, the Lutheran distrust in human reason meant that a posteriori arguments were employed in Melanchthon's natural philosophy in order to prove that absolutely everything in this world was created by God. This, in turn, was to serve as the starting point of his moral philosophy, in which he argued that the specific purpose for which humans were created by God was that they obeyed civil governments. Melanchthon's students and followers similarly saw natural philosophy as serving a Christian purpose. Instead of marking a moment of separation between science and religion, Melanchthon's reforms meant that natural philosophy effectively served a Christian purpose.Kusukawa Sachiko. The natural philosophy of Melanchthon and his followers. In: Sciences et religions. De Copernic à Galilée (1540-1610) Actes du colloque international - Rome 12-14 décembre 1996. Rome : École Française de Rome, 1999. pp. 443-453. (Publications de l'École française de Rome, 260

The natural philosophy of Melanchthon and his followers

Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), colleague and ally of Martin Luther, is well known for his educational reforms in Protestant lands. Melanchthon reformed traditional scholastic teachings of Aristotelian philosophy in the arts curriculum along Lutheran principles. For instance, the Lutheran distrust in human reason meant that a posteriori arguments were employed in Melanchthon's natural philosophy in order to prove that absolutely everything in this world was created by God. This, in turn, was to serve as the starting point of his moral philosophy, in which he argued that the specific purpose for which humans were created by God was that they obeyed civil governments. Melanchthon's students and followers similarly saw natural philosophy as serving a Christian purpose. Instead of marking a moment of separation between science and religion, Melanchthon's reforms meant that natural philosophy effectively served a Christian purpose.Kusukawa Sachiko. The natural philosophy of Melanchthon and his followers. In: Sciences et religions. De Copernic à Galilée (1540-1610) Actes du colloque international - Rome 12-14 décembre 1996. Rome : École Française de Rome, 1999. pp. 443-453. (Publications de l'École française de Rome, 260

‘A sincere hand and a faithful eye’: the many interests of Robert Hooke (1635–1703)

Since the tercentenary of Hooke’s death, Hooke’s polymathic interests have received much scholarly attention. This paper discusses his interests as reflected via his drawings, which are perhaps less well known. His drawings played an important part in scientific record-keeping at the Royal Society and enabled visualisation of manufacturing processes, objects, mechanisms and theories. His graphic skills were important tools for his observational and empirical studies. Hooke’s artistic ability is therefore a worthy addition to his many-sided talents

Thomas Kirke’s Copy of Philosophical Transactions

In this paper, I discuss a drawing that substituted for an engraving in a copy of Philosophical Transactions once owned by Thomas Kirke (1650–1706, FRS 1693). I suggest that prints allowed Kirke to train his eye as well as his hand. His case is useful for raising further questions about visual representations in early modern science