De humana Physiognomonia – Della Porta – 1650 | Illustrated, Fine Binding

A rare 1650 printing of Della Fisonomia Dell’uomo by Giambattista Della Porta. First published in 1586, Fisonomia was a culmination of his experiences traveling throughout Europe in which he, curiously, described the physical characteristics of many of the learned men he encountered… including his own. It was clear, however, that his descriptions of human form were not simply for physical or anatomical survey, but Porta sought, according to Katherine MacDonald, a desire for community and belonging. De humana physiognomonia helped establish many of the philosophical and scientific norms of the study of physiognomy as well as making links to historical figures to himself. This book became one of the foremost studies into human physiognomy.

It is worth noting that no book from this era on physiognomy would be complete without illustrations, and as MacDonald states,

“Porta’s “Physiognomonia” is not the first manual on human physiognomy to have engraved illustrations, but it is perhaps the most lavishly and beautifully produced such book. … [with] engraved with portraits mostly of ancient philosophers and emperors.”

Heirs of Hippocrates notes of these illustrations:

“The present work, one of the first on physiognomy, contains a series of woodcuts which show facial resemblances between man and animals with an accompanying text that compares various animal traits to their human counterparts.”

Bibliographic Details

• Title: De hvmana Physiognomonia Joannis Baptistae Portae Neapolitani Libri IV
• Author(s): Giambattista Della Porta
• Illustrator(s): uncredited
• Publisher: Rothomagi, Sumptibus J. Berthelin
• Edition: 1650 edition
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Modern bright leather binding with tooled title and raised ribs
• Size:  7 in x 4.5 in (17.8 cm x 11.4 cm)
• Collation: [12], 403pp, [41]
• Illustrations: Illustrated throughout with in-text figures
• Contents Include:
  • Texts on visible features and personality
  • Citations of historical and natural comparisons
• Reference(s): Garrison & Morton 150; Heirs of Hippocrates 232; Katherine MacDonald, Humanistic Self-Representation in Giovan Battista Della Porta’s “Della Fisonomia Dell’Uomo“

Condition:

Near Fine. Modern leather covers are strong with precise spine tooling. Hinges firm. The text block is solid. Pages show light toning. Illustrations are intact and clear. No restoration noted.

Why Collect This?

• Premier Latin physiognomy work from the mid-17th century
• Includes in-text illustrations
• Superb binding, notable and desirable display
• Relevant for collectors of science and esoterica

Item Number: # 28986