In the framework of our book adoption programme, our restorer and rare book librarian gave a detailed presentation on the supported volume to our adopter's representative.
Staff members of the Eötvös József Research Center for Political and State Theory at the Ludovika University of Public Service adopted János Zsámboky's book of emblems.
The main creators of emblem books in the 16th and 17th centuries were the Jesuits followed by the Piarists. An exception to this was Johannes Sambucus, János Zsámboky (1531–1584), physician, court historian, the author of several emblem books. He lived the greatest part of his life in Vienna, but was in correspondence with lay aristocrats and the high clergy in Hungary, too. One of his most famous works was the Emblemata (1564) published by Christopher Plantin in Antwerp. The emblem book presented here was published in the same city 6 years later by Philips Galle. The volume also contains 16 engravings and the Carmen heroicum by humanist physician Hugo Favolino. The work is generally regarded as the praisal of John of Austria (1547–1578), the victorious Spanish general of the battle of Lepanto (1571), but recently a number of quite complex interpretations were proposed. Most of the emblems depict military deeds and virtues with the help of triumphal arches decorated with Classic inscriptions, mythological heroes and gods, but one also finds a number of contemporary references (e.g. Ottoman garments). The work is related to the apologetic literary tradition associated with the heroes of the battle of Lepanto, in which we can perceive the recreation of the Classical literature. The copy preserved in the University Library and Archives is damaged (signatures C5-6 and D1-6 are missing).
The book is part of the book adoption program of the Foundation for the University Library. Save a book, adopt a book! For more information visit our website: https://konyvtar.elte.hu/en/support-us/adopt-a-book.
Adopted book:
RMK III 134/b
Arcus aliquot triumphal, et monimenta victor. classicae in honor invictissimi ac illustris. Iani Austriae, victoris non quieturi, auctor Ioan. Sambuco. Quibus adiectum est eiusdem argumenti Carmen heroicum per Hugonem Favolinum. Antverpiae [Antwerpen] : apud Philippum Gallaeum MDLXXII [1572].