Scheme of Christian Kabbalism from Heinrich Khunrath, Amphiteatrum sapientiae aeternae
Medium
Engraving from a circular plate
Dimensions
sheet: diameter 16 1/16 in. (40.8 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, C. G. Boerner Gift, 2011
Accession Number
2011.303
Art Historical Context
In the late Renaissance era, when alchemy, mysticism, and esoteric philosophy flourished, Heinrich Khunrath's *Amphiteatrum sapiae aeternae* (Amphitheatre of Wisdom, published around 1609) stood as a monumental treatise blending Christian theology with Kabbalistic traditions. This striking engraving, titled *Scheme of Christian Kabbalism*, captures a intricate diagram from the book, visualizing the harmonious fusion of divine wisdom, alchemical symbols, and mystical hierarchies. Likely designed by Flemish artist Hans Vredeman de Vries—renowned for his masterful architectural perspectives and i...