Aristotle Instructs the Monks
“All men by nature desire to learn” says the opening text of this translation of Aristotle’s Metaphysics, and that explains why the artist placed in the initial letter a depiction of Aristotle as a teacher. Notice that he wears a turban, a tribute to the fact that Aristotle’s works were transmitted to Europe via Arabic scholarship. Above the sky to which Aristotle points is Christ himself. In this way, the artist revealed his certainty that the ancient teachings of Aristotle and Christian belief worked together. (Opening page of the Metaphysics of Artistotle, 13th century / Bibliotheque Mazarine, Paris, France / Archives Charmet / Bridgeman Images.)