Atalanta Fugiens (Atalanta Fleeing) is an emblem book signed by Michael Maier, which was published by Johan Theodor de Bry in Oppenheim in in 1617 (2nd edition 1618). An emblem book is a book composed of allegorical illustrations with accompanying explanatory text, typically morals or poems. Atalanta Fugiens consists of 50 discourses next to illustrations by Matthias Merian, each of which is accompanied by an epigrammatic verse, prose and a musical fugue. Thus, Atalanta Fugiens can be considered an early example of multimedia.
The book deals with alchemical discussions and contains a preface which is a dissertation upon ancient music and narrates the Greek myth of Atalanta and Hippomenes.
Michael Maier (1568-1622) was a Renaissance alchemist, composer, physician and counselor to Habsburg Emperor Rudolf II Habsburg. Thus, while it may be possible for the music to have been performed at the emperor’s court, it is not really known when it was supposed to be played and scholars also don’t know how the fugues were supposed to be interpreted. Certain remarkable attempts at it have been made, but the artist’s intention remains unknown.
The full title of the book is “Atalanta Fugiens, hoc est, Emblemata Nova de Secretis Naturae Chymica, Accommodata partim oculis et intellectui, figuris cupro incisis, adjectisquesententiis, Epigrammatis et notis, partim auribus & recreationi animi plus minus 50 Fugis Musicalibus trium Vocum, quarum duae ad unam simplicem melodiam distichis canendis peraptam, correspondeant, non absq; singulari jucunditate videnda, legenda, meditanda, intelligenda, dijudicanda, canenda et audienda.”
Discover some of the emblems from the book:
