Focus on this artwork and explore the abstract.
Cabinet of Curiosities in Dell'Historia Naturale depicts Ferrante Imperato's cabinet of curiosities. Imperato was an Italian apothecary and naturalist practicing in Naples during the 16th century. The image shows the types of objects Imperato collected for his cabinet of curiosities, including shells, animals, minerals, and botanic specimens. This print appeared in Historia naturale di Ferrante Imperato napolitano: nella quale ordinatamente si tratta della diversa condition di minere, pietre pretiose, & altre curiosità : con varie historie di piante, & animali, sin'hora non date in luce, otherwise known as Dell’Historia Naturale, a monumental work of natural history in 28 volumes.  The exploration of natural history was part of the Renaissance humanist movement and empiricism. The use of senses to formulate new ideas and natural discoveries was at the heart of this movement. The discoveries resulting from empirical exploration were aimed at figuring out how everyone is connected through nature. Imperato's cabinet was part of this movement and provided a place for aristocrats in society to expand their knowledge.
Naples Renaissance humanist natural history Imperato's naturalist Ferrante Imperato apothecary empiricism cabinet of curiosities