Making a Renaissance Book Your Own: The Unique Copy of Alciato’s Emblems at Illinois
Professor Mara Wade discusses the history and significance of emblem books, with particular focus on a unique copy of Alciato’s emblems recently purchased by the University of Illinois. This one-of-a-kind customized book offers a splendid example of social practices surrounding the emblem; often scholars would translate emblems to sharpen their skills and as a form of entertainment, and the Illinois copy of Alciato’s Emblematum Liber offers valuable insights into that practice.