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The Dutch Love Emblem (2/54)

Emblem from Heinsius, Ambacht van Cupido (1613; roughly translates into: Trade of Cupid) As you can see from this example, an emblem consists of three characteristic parts:
  • motto [=motto]
  • pictura [=picture]
  • subscriptio [=verse]
Usually, the motto is positioned above or under the pictura; however, sometimes it is draped over the pictura.

The meaning of the whole is determined by the combination of the three parts. The curiosity is roused by either the motto or the pictura, and then the subscriptio complements these to parts and provides a logical explanation on the whole.

This specific emblem will be dealt with in more detail later on.

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