Describe the characteristics of the Objects in the study in this artwork's Description, imagery, and symbolism.
Many of the objects in the study would usually go unnoticed; however, Vittore Carpaccio chose to display the cabinet in the back left of the painting with the doors wide open and the shelf under the altarpiece with the curtain pulled back in order to allow the viewer to see more in depth into the life of St. Augustine. The door has a lock and key in it to reflect contemporary practices of locking up books since they were considered sacred books. Many other objects are carefully positioned around the study in order to display the collection of St. Augustine. Scholars have argued that the impressive variety of items from the arts, sciences, astronomy, and theology, drawn from different places and historical times, symbolizes the active, intellectual mind of St. Augustine.Some, but not all the notable objects include the following:On and around St. Augustine's desk are found a variety of objects, including: a conch shell, bell, pair of scissors, a Mamluk lidded-vessel made from tin (referred to as "instagnada" in Renaissance inventories), a variety of books (including musical manuscripts at the foot of the desk), and an armillary sphere hangs above the desk.
The German Spitz is depicted in the bottom left corner of the painting.
An Italian Renaissance bronze replica of the Horses of San Marco Basilica, situated on the left bookshelf is similar to a statuette of a pacing horse made in Venice in the sixteenth century can be seen at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford).
Also on the bookshelf on the far left is an early sixteenth-century bronze version of Venus now at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London)by Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi (known as Antico). The inclusion of the statue of Venus may symbolize the coming of good fortune.
A Mamluk candlestick, a similar early fourteenth-century one can found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Three Astrolabe and a quadrant are found in the small room in the left corner of the composition.
Details
German Spitz Astrolabe Horses of San Marco Basilica cabinet Ashmolean Museum Carpaccio armillary sphere quadrant Venice Vittore Carpaccio Mamluk conch shell Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi Victoria and Albert Museum