Mathematics
Humanistic Mathematics
Although much scientific work at the Medici court centered on experimental natural philosophy, the humanist project of translating ancient texts remained of interest. Over the course of the 17th century, the Medici grand dukes purchased a number of important ancient mathematical manuscripts and sponsored projects to translate them into Latin and Italian. They also brought Borelli to Pisa to serve as professor of mathematics. Borelli’s work ranged from mathematics to anatomy, natural philosophy to volcanoes. Shown here are translations of works by Euclid (ca. 325–265 BC) and Apollonius of Perga (ca. 262–190 BC). See the section concerning members of the Accademia del Cimento for Borelli’s treatise on the eruption of Mount Etna and Galileo & Students for other works by Torricelli and Viviani.
Quinto libro degli Elementi d'Euclide.
Ed. Evangelista Torricelli and Vincenzio Viviani. Florence: Alla Condotta, 1674.
Three very small geometric figures, much enlarged.
Apollonii Pergaei Conicorum Lib. V. VI. VII.
Ed. Giovanni Alfonso Borelli. Florence: Josephi Cocchini, 1661.
The title page of this edition of Apollonius' treatise on conics makes prominent reference to Cosimo III.
Elementa conica Apollonius Pergaeus.
Ed. Giovanni Alfonso Borelli. Rome: Mascardum, 1679.
Folding plate of geometrical figures supplied in manuscript form in this copy.
Elementi piani, e solidi d'Euclide.
Ed. Vincenzio Viviani. Florence: Da Cesarem e Francesco Bindi. Per il Carlieri all'Insegna di S. Luigi, 1690.
Legacies of Galileo: The Work of Guido Grandi (1671-1742)
Working under the auspices of three different grand dukes, Grandi elaborated upon Galileo's treatise on natural motion, addressed theoretical and practical matters in hydraulics, and attended to the geometry of nature. His name is often associated with curves that define the shapes of flowers, especially roses. In this way, Grandi's work can be seen at the intersection of the Medici interest in natural history and the mathematical concerns of Galileo and his circle.
All are works by Guido Grandi.
De infinitis infinitorum, et infinite parvorum ordinibus disquisitio geometrica.
Pisa: Ex Typographia Francisci Bindi, 1710.
Sectionum conicarum synopsis.
Naples: Expensis Bernardini Gessari. Typis Felicis-Caroli Mosca, 1737.
Flores geometrici ex rhodonearum et cloeliarum curvarum descriptione resultantes.
PFlorence: Typis Regiae Celsitudinis. Apud Tartinium & Franchium, 1728.
Geometrica demonstratio theorematum Hugenianorum circa logisticam seu logarithmicam lineam.
Florence: Typis Regiæ Celsit. Apud Petrum Antonium Brigonci, 1701.
Geometrica demonstratio Vivianeorvm problematvm [Vivianeorum problematum].
Florence: Ex typographia Jacobi de Guiduccis prope Conductam, 1699.
Quadratura circuli, et hyperbolae per infinitas hyperbolas.
Pisa: Ex Typographia Francisci Bindi Impress. Archiep., 1710.
Instituzioni meccaniche trattato.
Florence: Nella Stampieria di S.A.R. Per Gio: Gaetano Tartini, e Santi Franchi, 1739.
Instituzioni geometriche.
Florence: Stamperia di S.A.R. per G.G. Tartini, e Santi Franchi, 1741.
See Beyond Italy for more about Grandi and Tuscan research in England.