The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

February 17, 2018

February 17

Since in many countries it is World Cat Day, we celebrate by focusing on this medieval (15th century) image.




If I have translated the title this image is known by, correctly, "Broeder Gheraerts Naturkunde," means "Brother Gerhard's Natural History". It is located now at the Herzog August Library, which is a famous center for medieval collections. The Herzog August Library is located in Wolfenbuttel, a town in Lower Saxony, Germany.  The classification number is  Cod. Guelf. 18.2 Aug. 4°, fol. 123r.

But what does it mean? Oh I don't need an answer to appreciate the astonishing beauty of this picture. But we do enjoy getting the bigger frame. I rely here on comments at the Facebook page where I found this picture. I have seen this lady in the moon identified with Venus, but the comments I read suggest the woman is the Goddess of Fortune, Occasio. She leads the donkey who is turning the wheel of life. "The animals represent the different types of fortune: Fortuna Dubia (fox with mysterious pot), Fortuna Brevis (greyhound), Fortuna Mala (monkey), Fortuna Stabilis (lion)..."

Occasio was also called the Goddess of Chance.
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