Living with Animals at a 15th-Century Court: Physiognomy, Dietetics – and Poetry

The article stresses the importance of the 15th-century court environment in shaping a complex approach to animals, also taking into account ethical issues. The court is thus viewed as a place for the scientific study of animalsʼ appearances and behaviour, but also as a space in which animals and humans simply live together: the scientific interest is therefore accompanied by feelings of care and affection for those animals considered to be of major importance for court societies (dogs and horses). Taken together, these different ways of dealing with animals at court may assist in understanding 15th-century philosophical reflection on animals and their status in relation to humanity. Physiognomic treatises, but also letters and poems, expressing deep affection for non-human creatures, all contribute to underline the animal-like nature of humans. This opens up the theoretical possibility of thinking about the relationship between humans and animals in terms of continuity. The varied 15th century approach to animals is especially exemplified by the work of the well-known academic and court physician Michele Savonarola, with particular attention to his reflection on dietetics.