Diagrammatic Thinking and the Division of Life into Ages

Fourteenth-century diagrams, particularly those by Francesco da Barberino, revealed that visual representations of life's stages and aging were not mere illustrations but active tools shaping intellectual discourse. These diagrams, including the first known female cycle of life in his Officiolo, integrated advancements in physical science, theology, and jurisprudence, serving as complementary sources to textual knowledge. The study highlights Padova's role as a hub for interdisciplinary exchange, where diagrammatic thinking bridged legal norms with visual expression, illustrating how medieval scholars used images to organize complex ideas about aging, the cosmos, and societal structures.

Von Hülsen-Esch, A. (2026). Diagrammatic Thinking and the Division of Life into Ages. Age, Culture, Humanities: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 10. https://doi.org/10.7146/ageculturehumanities.v10i.147209