Artist’s Notes

Athanasius Kircher, sometimes known as the “last rennaisance man” created a diagram similar to the one in this design. Kircher’s diagram arranged eighteen objects in two vertical columns in order to determines the number of arrangements in which they can be combined. By the same method Kircher further estimated that fifty objects may be arranged in 1,273,726,838,815,420,339,851,343,083,767,005,515,293,749,454,795,408,000,000,000,000 combinations.

Kircher stated the following about his diagram:

From this it will be evident that infinite diversity is possible, for the countless parts of the universe may be related to each other in an incalculable number of ways; and through the various combinations of these limitless subdivisions of being, infinite individuality and infinite variety must inevitably result. Thus it is further evident that life can never become monotonous or exhaust the possibilities of variety.

I really liked the concept behind the idea of this drawing, and the positive message that Kircher was able to gain from it. The power in the message, and the positive energy that it generates makes it one of my favorite designs.