Alchemical Hands in the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili

Why It Matters for the Hypnerotomachia

Jasper is one of the most frequently named stones in the HP. Poliphilo describes jasper columns, pavements, and vessel interiors. The stone's variety of colors allows the HP to build complex chromatic descriptions of architectural surfaces.

Why It Matters in Scholarship

In the medieval and Renaissance lapidary tradition, jasper was associated with healing, protection, and the stopping of blood. The alchemical annotators may have found these associations significant within their interpretive frameworks.

Key Passages / Evidence

• ... that is a section of the cornice Cupola Cupula p.127 h4r A rounded dome forming, or in an addition to, a ceiling Gemstones Gemme p.127 h4r Polished mineral-crystals in various hues and... [O'Neill (Durham thesis)]
• ... 38 Cloister Claustro p.88 c8v A covered walkway typically with a colonnade open to a quadrangle on one side Fluting Canaliculate p.92 f2v Shallow groove along the face of a column... [O'Neill (Durham thesis)]
• ... bathhouse Fountain Fonte p.79; 83 e4r; e6r Referring to the structure that squirts water into its basin Frieze Phrygio p.80 e4v The central section of an entablature, usually... [O'Neill (Durham thesis)]

Source Documents

Lefaivre 1997 (Alberti attribution); O'Neill (Durham thesis)