Tree of Knowledge

Knowledge Tree (600dpi).jpg

Diderot and d'Alembert's "Map of the System of Human Knowledge" was referred to as a tree due to its branching hierarchy. This plate, found at the front of the first book of the Supplement to the Encyclopedie, visualizes this organization of knowledge as an actual tree. Each branch represents a different field of knowledge.

Denis Diderot (1713-1784), Jean-Michel Papillon (1698-1776) wood-engraver

Supplément à l'Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire des sciences, des arts et des métiers

A Amsterdam :Chez M.M. Rey, libraire, 1776-1777.

 

Denis Diderot (1713-1784), Jean-Michel Papillon (1698-1776) wood-engraver

Supplément à l'Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire des sciences, des arts et des métiers

A Amsterdam :Chez M.M. Rey, libraire, 1776-1777.