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Die Form des Wassers. Korpuskularphilosophische Imaginationen des Fluiden im Venedig des 17. und 18. Jahrhunderts
Zittel’s article examined the corpuscular theories based on the natural philosophy of Lucretius, which were the subject of controversial debate in the 17th century. They held the conviction that all natural things consisted of atoms that moved chaotically and randomly like »fluttering moths«. This meant that the previously valid assumption that matter was primarily a solid substance could be put into perspective if not detached and replaced by the conviction of its fluidity. And as controversial as the cause of the continuous movement of the corpuscles was discussed, their visibility was also debated. However, the diverse book illustrations of the treatises published on this subject before 1700 show the importance that images of all things were to have in the circulation of this theory, which was accompanied by detailed justifications and re-evaluations. Whether it was editions of Lucretius’ De natura rerum, Descartes’ treatise Les Météores or Guglielmini’s treatise Della natura de’ fiumi, which was based on empirical observations. The latter was the first professor of hydrometry and the founder of crystallography. A renowned specialist, thus had the last word in an important natural philosophical discourse of the 17th century, whose potential for art history has yet to be explored.
