title: [Symbolic representations of the eye in an ars memorandi of the 16th century].
abstract: Four illustrations containing various eye symbols are discussed. They appear in an early 16th-century mnemonic textbook of the Ars memorandi genre, called Rationarium evangelistarum. It was intended to help students to memorize the New Testament. The eye symbols in it refer twice to the healing of the blind, and once to the proverbial beam in the eye. Furthermore, a precursor of the later and very popular motif of the eye of God can also be found. It is easy to recognize eye symbols--even when they are simply depicted--since the eyes not only of human beings, but of all vertebrates are similar in their external appearance. This may help to explain why the eye is a common symbol in art, magic, ornamental decoration, and many other areas.
mesh_terms: D001878:Books, Illustrated / Q000266:history*; D005123:Eye; D005858:Germany; D049669:History, 16th Century; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history; D013561:Symbolism
vernacular_title: Symbolische Augendarstellungen in einer Ars Memorandi des 16. Jahrhunderts.