Luis Carduchi: from painter to Professor of Mathematics and Artillery

Abstract

This article presents a reconstruction of Luis Carduchi’s little-known career (Madrid, ca. 1596-1657). Carduchi was son and nephew of the Florentine painters, Bartolomé and Vicente Carducho, respectively. From the analysis of archival documentation, as well as from his cartographic and scientific production, an interesting professional evolution emerges: he started as a painter, then worked as a surveyor and mathematician, and finally he reached the Chair of Mathematics and Artillery. To understand Carduchi’s progress, the social promotion strategies he used at the Spanish Court will also be analyzed: he managed to get the favor of Count-Duke of Olivares, first through valido’s relatives’ and then the valido itself. Besides, Carduchi’s work and writings were characterized by the integration between arts and sciences, which will allow us to explore the connections between both spheres of knowledge in 17^th century Spain.