Unicorns exist! Constellation Monoceros from Prodromus Astronomiae by Jan Heweliusz, Gdańsk, 1690.
We don’t support violence, but in this case we’ll turn a blind eye because of the artistic value: Salome with the Head of John the Baptist, Jakub of Voragine, The Golden Legend, a Italian copy from the late 15th century.
This hipster with the earring is Henryk Walezy, King of Poland and France, painted here by Hieronymus Wierix (1553-1619). The inscription reads, “"Peintre afin que ton art imite la Nature […].”
There was a debate amongst the editors whether this was an eagle or a parrot (sic!) - though as you can see, it’s obviously a vulture. From Histoire naturelle des oiseaux by Albin Eleazar, 1750.
King David playing the harp - or cards. Mszał Erazma Ciołka, Kraków, around 1515.
The route around Gibraltar is narrow and you have to be careful! A world atlas for sailors. Antonio Millo, Geographicae tabulae in charta pergamena, 1583.
So this is what infographics used to look like: the most recent news about balloon flights in 1784. Figure from Magazyn Warszawski.
Persian horseback ride: Shaikh Inayat-Allah Kamboh, Abhār-i dānĭs (Bahar-e danesz), copy from the end of the 18th century.
A pretty note: Czesław Miłosz, Poems and Exercises [Black Book].
An ugly note: Cyprian Kamil Norwid, Rzecz o wolności słowa / The Thing about Freedom of Speech. Wonder what a graphologist would say…
Miniaturists work on the folds of robes, the Maiestas Domini of the Tyniec Sacramentary, around 1072-1075.
The way matches used to be: Sarmata-Makabi, prewar football poster.
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