The Library of a 'Humanist Prince' Federico da Montefeltro and His Manuscripts [by M.G. Critelli]

Ostrich

This is probably the oldest badge used by Federico, as well as one of the main emblems of the family. It appears on the sarcophagus cover of Count Antonio da Montefeltro (1348-1404; see Nardini, Le imprese, pp. 8-9; Lombardi, I simboli, p. 138).

The ostrich usually has a scroll in its beak with the mottoI can verdait en crocisen (as well as the variant ich anvor dait en crocisem o ih anvorda an crucisem), in a false old German or rather in a misspelled, orthographic mix of ancient German and old English, probably referring to the phrase Ich kann verdauen ein grosses eisen, or “I can swallow a large iron”, that is, digest it. According to some, this arcane motto refers to the patience of Antonio da Montefeltro, who, after a long exile, succeeds in reconquering the Montefeltro lordship (1377) of his predecessors.

The ostrich was traditionally considered an example of determination, tenacity and industriousness (Picinelli, Mondo simbolico, pp. 139-140), and the motto further emphasizes these characteristics. Sometimes it is depicted without the scroll and can have an iron or a nail in its beak, thus visually expressing the meaning evinced by the motto.

It is widely represented both in the manuscripts and in the decorations of the Ducal Palace (for example in the Studiolo; see Cheles, Lo Studiolo di Urbino, pp. 71, 72, 75, 91; Raggio, Lo Studiolo, p. 118 fig. 5-65, p. 120 fig. 5-74; Wilmering, Le tarsie, p. 117 fig. 2-80).

Urb. lat. 1, f. 179r - Urb. lat. 2, f. 283r 

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Urb. lat. 10, f. 10r - Urb. lat. 324, f. 87r 

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Urb. lat. 74, f. 1r - Urb. lat. 365, f. 49v 

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