Boece Collection

Old woman (witch or fairy) spinning, 1547. Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger
Old woman (witch or fairy) spinning, 1547. Woodcut attributed to Holbein from an edition of De consolatione philosophiae by the Roman scholar and philosopher Boethius

Pythagoras (6th century BC), right, using counting table, competes against Boethius (Boece)
534438 Pythagoras (6th century BC), right, using counting table, competes against Boethius (Boece) using algorithms for speed at calculation

Pythagore calculant avec des jetons, et Boece avec des chiffres (engraving)
3644499 Pythagore calculant avec des jetons, et Boece avec des chiffres (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pythagore calculant avec des jetons)

The seven liberal arts at the bedside of Boethius (chromolitho)
964250 The seven liberal arts at the bedside of Boethius (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Philosophy appears to Boethius (chromolitho)
964249 Philosophy appears to Boethius (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Philosophy appears to Boethius (la philosophie apparait a Boece), France

Ms 3045 fol. 68v Lady Philosophy offers to Boethius the wings that will enable his mind to
XIR347311 Ms 3045 fol.68v Lady Philosophy offers to Boethius the wings that will enable his mind to fly aloft (vellum) by French School, (15th century); Bibliotheque Municipale, Rouen

Diptych of Boethius (480-524) Consul in 487 AD (ivory)
XIR209285 Diptych of Boethius (480-524) Consul in 487 AD (ivory) by Paleo-Christian, (5th century); Museo Civico Cristiano, Brescia, Italy; out of copyright

Ms 3045 fol. 22v Boethius with the Wheel of Fortune, from
XIR182657 Ms 3045 fol.22v Boethius with the Wheel of Fortune, from De Consolatione Philosophiae, translated by Jean de Meung (vellum) by French School, (15th century); Bibliotheque Municipale, Rouen

Ms Hunter 374 f. 4r Boethius with Students in Prison, from
GUL232054 Ms Hunter 374 f.4r Boethius with Students in Prison, from De Consolatione Philosophiae cum Commento, 1385 (vellum) by Italian School, (14th century); Glasgow University Library

Ms 3045 f. 3 Boethius, Philosophy and the Muses, from
XIR175564 Ms 3045 f.3 Boethius, Philosophy and the Muses, from De Consolatione Philosophiae (vellum) by French School, (15th century); Bibliotheque Municipale, Rouen, France; French, out of copyright

The Planetary Systems, from The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
XJF208338 The Planetary Systems, from The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, published in 1537, illustration from Science and Literature in The Middle Ages and Renaissance

Allegory of Arithmetic, from Margarita Philosophica by Gregor Reisch
CHT162794 Allegory of Arithmetic, from Margarita Philosophica by Gregor Reisch, 1503 (woodcut) by Reisch, Gregor (d.1525); Bibliotheque de la Faculte de Medecine, Paris

Calligrapher (chromolitho)
964248 Calligrapher (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Calligrapher, a miniature from the Boece manuscript, France, 15th century)

Ms 3045 fol. 94r Lady Philosophy leads Boethius in flight into the sky on the wings that
XIR347312 Ms 3045 fol.94r Lady Philosophy leads Boethius in flight into the sky on the wings that she has given him; God the Father looks on in blessing (vellum) by French School

Ms 3045 fol. 1 Jean de Meung (1240-1305) offering his translation to Philippe le Bel
XIR187794 Ms 3045 fol.1 Jean de Meung (1240-1305) offering his translation to Philippe le Bel (1268-1314) from De Consolatione Philosophiae by Boethius (vellum) by French School

The German Alchemist, from Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
XJF194972 The German Alchemist, from Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, illustration from Science and Literature in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, written and engraved by Paul Lacroix

CONCEPTS / PHILOSOPHY / C15
Allegorical representation of Philosophy (the lady) accompanied by the writer and philosopher, Boece Date: 15th Century

Illustration from Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiae, 1498 (1964)
Illustration from Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiae (Consolation of Philosophy), 1498 (1964). Printed in Paris by Jean de Vingle

Hector Boece or Boyce, Scottish philosopher, (1870). Artist: W Howison
Hector Boece or Boyce, Scottish philosopher, (1870). An engraving of Boyce (1465-1536) from Robert Chambers A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen, Blackie and Son, (Glasgow, Edinburgh)

Pythagoras, Greek mathematician, 1508. Pythagoras (right) using a counting table, competes against Boethius (Boece) using algorithms for speed at calculation

Hector Boece
HECTOR BOECE Scottish historian, first principal of Kings College, Aberdeen Date: 1465 - 1536

Boethius (480-524) Bidding Farewell to his Family (oil on canvas)
XIR223472 Boethius (480-524) Bidding Farewell to his Family (oil on canvas) by Schnetz, Jean Victor (1787-1870); 310x250 cm; Musee des Augustins, Toulouse

A Musician, from De Musica by Boethius (480-524) (vellum)
XIR211750 A Musician, from De Musica by Boethius (480-524) (vellum) by Italian School, (14th century); Biblioteca Nazionale, Naples, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Cure through the Intercession of a Healing Saint, from The Consolation of Philosophy
XJF194970 Cure through the Intercession of a Healing Saint, from The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, published in 1537

The Natural Sciences in the Presence of Philosophy, from the 1537 German edition
XJF193881 The Natural Sciences in the Presence of Philosophy, from the 1537 German edition of the Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius

Boethius (480-524) takes counsel of Dame Philosophy, miniature from De Consolatione
XJF147306 Boethius (480-524) takes counsel of Dame Philosophy, miniature from De Consolatione da Philosophiae, translated by Jean de Meung

Pythagoras (6th century BC), right, using counting table, competes against Boethius (Boece) using algorithms for speed at calculation

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"Boethius: A Journey Through Time and Wisdom" Step into the enchanting world of Boethius, where ancient wisdom intertwines with mystical art. In Hans Holbein the Younger's masterpiece, an old woman spins her magical thread, perhaps a witch or fairy guiding us through the realms of knowledge. Pythagoras himself joins Boethius in their pursuit of understanding, calculating with tokens while Boethius uses numbers to unlock profound truths. The seven liberal arts stand by their side, offering guidance and inspiration as they delve deeper into the mysteries of existence. Philosophy appears before Boethius in a chromolitho scene, embodying wisdom and enlightenment. Lady Philosophy extends her wings to him, granting his mind the ability to soar beyond earthly limitations. Intriguingly captured on ivory is a diptych depicting Boethius as Consul in 487 AD. This relic reminds us that even great minds can face adversity and imprisonment. Ms Hunter 374 f. 4r reveals another glimpse into his life behind bars - surrounded by students eager to absorb his teachings. Ms 3045 f. 3 unveils an ethereal image of Boethius alongside Philosophy and the Muses themselves; it seems creativity flourishes even amidst hardship. The Planetary Systems from "The Consolation of Philosophy" transports us further into Boethian thought - contemplating celestial bodies and their influence on our lives. An allegory of Arithmetic from Margarita Philosophica showcases Gregor Reisch's artistic prowess while highlighting the importance of numerical reasoning in unlocking universal truths. Finally, we encounter a calligrapher immersed in his craft - reminding us that every stroke holds meaning just as every word penned by Boethius carries profound significance. Join us on this captivating journey through time as we explore the multifaceted legacy left behind by one man who dared to question everything – philosopher extraordinaire: Boethius.