Tekst achterflap

In the first half of the sixteenth century, the Low Countries saw the rise of a lively market for practical and instructive books that targeted non-specialist readers. This study shows how woodcuts in vernacular books on medicine and astrology fulfilled important rhetorical functions in knowledge communication. These images guided readers’ perceptions of the organisation, visualisation, and reliability of knowledge. Andrea van Leerdam uncovers the assumptions and intentions of book producers to which images testify, and shows how actual readers engaged with these illustrated books. Drawing on insights from the field of information design studies, she scrutinises the books’ material characteristics, including their lay-outs and traces of use, to shed light on the habits and interests of early modern readers. She situates these works in a culture where medicine and astrology were closely interwoven in daily life and where both book producers and readers were exploring the potential of images.

Inhoudsopgave

Acknowledgements Note to the reader Abbreviations Codes used for examined editions and copies Introduction Chapter 1. Bodies of Knowledge: Dutch Medical-Astrological Books between 1500-1550 Chapter 2. Organising Knowledge: Conceptualisations and Visual Strategies Chapter 3. Knowledge Tools: The Perceived Epistemic Significance of Images Chapter 4. Reliable Knowledge: Invoking Trust through Authority and Playfulness Chapter 5. Customising Knowledge: Readers’ Engagement with Illustrated Books Conclusion Appendices Bibliography List of figures List of tables Index of names and works

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