Francesco Colonna, [Hypnerotomachia Poliphili] Le tableau des riches inventions. Paris, Matthieu Guillemont, 1600

In this adaptation, based largely on the French translation brought out in 1546 by Kerver, the story of Poliphilus is introduced formally into the literature of alchemy; in a long explanation of the title-page engraving under the heading ‘Recueil steganografique’ reference is made to the alchemical and Hermetic aspects of the work. The Poliphilus also had a considerable influence on the origin and fashion of emblems. The title ‘The table of rich inventions’ which the editor of this edition, Béroalde de Verville, alchemist and author of numerous other books, supplied to the work, reinforces the link with emblematic literature.