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The Librarian — A learned figure assembled from books and the equipment of reading.
Look closely. Let the image settle.
Illusions in painting / c. 1566

The Librarian

A learned figure assembled from books and the equipment of reading.

TRY THIS

Look at the portrait from a distance, then trace the books that make the nose, torso, and hat.

FOLLOW THE SOURCES

History, evidence & image credit

THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Original file & attribution · Public domain

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Frequently asked questions

What is The Librarian?

A learned figure assembled from books and the equipment of reading.

What should I look for in The Librarian?

Look at the portrait from a distance, then trace the books that make the nose, torso, and hat.

What explains The Librarian?

Book spines, pages, and accessories form a convincing human arrangement while retaining their identity as objects.

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The Librarian — A learned figure assembled from books and the equipment of reading.

The Librarian