Mitch Merback Launches “The Consolation of Wisdom” on Substack | History of Art

A detailed black and white engraving depicting a winged figure sitting pensively with head resting on hand, surrounded by various objects including a polyhedron, a sphere, a sleeping dog, and tools. In the background, there is an angelic child holding a compass and other instruments. Above the scene is the word "MELENCOLIA I" written on a banner.

This summer Mitch Merback launched his pseudo-blog, “The Consolation of Wisdom,” on the online platform Substack (https://mitchmerback.substack.com/). Sharing its title with his forthcoming book, the site is currently hosting serial installments in his eight-part, self-published historical essay, “Presenting the Self: Inner Dialogue and Spiritual Exercise” (so far parts 1-5 are posted). When these are done, the site will serve as a platform for various book-adjacent reflections, critiques, and collaborations. Subscriptions are free!

The Consolation of Wisdom | Mitch Merback | Substack

Image caption: Artist: Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg). Melencolia I. 1514. Engraving; second state, sheet: 9 9/16 x 7 7/16 in. (24.3 x 18.9 cm) trimmed to plate line. Melencolia I [19.73.85]. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://jstor.org/stable/community.18638016.