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About the Header PictureThe header pictureThe header picture displays an excerpt of the marble VIDE.LIBRVM inscription, which is part of the “Venice, Italy and Studies” fresco by the Italian Modernist artist Mario Sironi (1937-1944), displayed at the Aula Magna Barratto of the University Ca' Foscari:
The text of the inscription is: VIDE LIBRVM NVNC APERTVM ET PATENTEM | NVNC CLAVSVM RVRSVS AC TACENTEM | LIBROS CONSVLE VT AB ILLIS DISCAS QVI ANTE NOS COGITARVNT | CLAVDE VT IPSE COGITES | SIC MAIORES VOLVERVNT SOLEMNITER DECLARARI | QVANTA DEBERET ESSE INTER DOCTOS CONCORDIA | NON QVIDEM OPINIONVM SED ANIMORVM ET STVDIORVM | AD VERITATEM INDAGANDAM ET PROPVGNANDAM. Which can be translated as:
See the book now open and accessible, now closed again and silent; consult books to learn from those who have thought before us, close (them) to think for yourself.
Thus, the elders wanted it to be solemnly declared what kind of concord there should be among the learned, not indeed of opinions, but of hearts and studies to search for and defend the truth.
We have chosen to represent the "IPSE.COGITES | SIC.MAIORES.VOLVERVNT” part of the inscription ("think for yourself. Thus, the elders wanted") rather than the “NON.QVIDEM.OPINIONVM” (“not indeed of opinions”) part because the latter is reminiscent of the fascist context. Quoting Cecilia Rofena's excellent study of this artwork: The emphasis on the soul and not on opinions acquires a different implication if the context of use is considered. The absence of freedom is now systematically affirmed by fascism. The call for the concord of feelings, and not of reasons (opiniones), corresponds to the fascist exaltation for community elements based on immediate sharing: the myths of nation, tradition, and war now unite souls. That "concord" of spirits and studies will not stop the enforcement of the racial laws, and any 'contrary spirits' will be driven away: it is the 'new order' of the University for which there is no longer a trace of the anti-fascist faculty and from 1938 the new fascist laws will be enforced. |
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