Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa(1486–1535)

Renaissance polymath whose synthesis of Renaissance magic, Neoplatonism, and Christian theology helped shape early modern European occult and esoteric traditions.

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2 titles in the Cabinet

Occult Philosophy

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Henry Cornelius Agrippa's fourth book of occult philosophy and geomancy magical elements of Peter de Abano : astronomical geomancy : the nature of spirits : and Arbatel of magick

The Dial's edition: London, 1655

A Renaissance encyclopedia of magic synthesizing Neoplatonic, Hermetic, and Kabbalistic traditions—foundational for understanding the period's intellectual approach to hidden forces in nature, celestial influence, and ceremonial practice.

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Vanity of the Arts and Sciences

Full title: The vanity of arts and sciences

The Dial's edition: 1676

A skeptical counterpoint to his occult philosophy, questioning the reliability of human knowledge and the pretensions of academic learning—a paradoxical text that undercuts and complicates his magical writings.

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