The text discusses the integration of alchemical and spagyric philosophy with design, exemplified by the human body’s proportions. It cites Lomazze's observations on how harmonic proportions in art reflect a perfect symmetry akin to nature and human ingenuity. The text also explores how various disciplines, including music, geometry, and astrology, find their principles mirrored in the human form.
FROM THE BOOKSELLER
Universal, have fallen into the same errors, and have similarly gone astray in the dark labyrinth of the terms of alchemy and spagyric philosophy mixed with those of design. We will provide as proof the following three extracts from the Treatise on Proportions by Jean-Paul Lomazze, translated from Italian by Hilaire Pader, Painter of Toulouse, in-folio printed in Toulouse in 1649.
"These great harmonic proportions that Lomazze finds in the human body through numbers and musical tones demonstrate the perfect symmetry of this small world; this is why man is said to be the most perfect work of nature, the image of the Creator, and the King of animals, who contains within themselves the four elements. Thus, not only does music find the division of its tones, geometry its points, lines, and figures, but also, additionally, astrology finds its stars there, philosophy its matter and form, and alchemy the differences of its vessels and furnaces. Do not be surprised if I mix alchemy here, for I assure you that if you are not spagyric, you will not become an excellent Painter." Discourse of Pader, at the end of chapter VI, page 22 of the cited book above.
"Moreover, ships, boats, galleys, and the like are drawn from the human body, just as
Translation Notes:
1. **Spagyric Philosophy**: Refers to an ancient practice related to alchemy and medicine, meant to purify and perfect items.
2. **Vessels and Furnaces**: In alchemical terms, these are the apparatus used for transformations.
3. **Lomazze**: Likely referring to Tuscans who have explored harmonic proportions in art.