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Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
- Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
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Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
sivbugge > 6 hours ago
From today April 17, to June 21, 2026 the Norwegian Drawing Center in Oslo, Norway, is showing my studies of the Voynich manuscript as hand-drawn copies. Most of them fragments at the scale 1:1.
The main work is a version of the large foldout diagram, folio 85v-86r, at the scale 4:1, 180x180 cm. I have measured every detail, and copied the forms as close as possible, but straightening up the lines, the geometry and colouring for a clearer reading. Also done with the equipment I find most useful for studies: Pencil, pen and colour pencils on paper.
Part of the exhibition is the independent publication Unknown Alphabet. The digital version can be viewed or downloaded for free here:
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This publication summarizes my work and suggests a decoding. In Parts 2 and 3 of the publication, there are interpretations of the images and the text in the large foldout diagram.
This probably touches on previous observations in this forum. I have tried to refer to them as thoroughly as possible, but unfortunately I have not been able to read all the threads in the forum’s history.
Hopefully there are some new contributions or ideas, such as:
- An analysis of the graphic and abstract aspects of the large foldout diagram.
- A decoding with the logic of a set of single letters that can be combined into ligatures. (An adjustment of my 2022 decoding.)
My interpretations align with some of the ideas discussed in this forum:
ReneZ and Antonio García Jiménez: The large foldout is about medicine. Healing medicine is connected to the six containers in the middle (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.). I see this theme of medicine by comparing the forms in the diagram with Brunschwig’s illustrations, and readings of Rupescissa and Testamentum, in addition to symbols from Medisinisch-chymisch-und alchemistisches Oraculum.
Koen G: There are vault-like shapes in three of the intermediary circles, as a metaphor for a celestial influence. I suggest a solution for why some of them are shaped exactly as they are.
Jorge Stolfi: I see what you call “extensive retouching” in the letters, but I have a different understanding of why there are several layers of strokes in many letters. To me, this is not “retouching” but a construction of ligatures, or combinations of letters—for example, where v and i are combined.
- An analysis of the graphic and abstract aspects of the large foldout diagram.
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RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
RobGea > 5 hours ago
Aww man, that foldout reproduction is gorgeous
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RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
Rafal > 4 hours ago
I love your redrawing of Rosette foldout too.
Would you be so keen to share it as a full resolution image?
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RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
sivbugge > 3 hours ago
(4 hours ago)Rafal Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I love your redrawing of Rosette foldout too.
Would you be so keen to share it as a full resolution image?
Thank you!
There is a limit of 2mb so the resolution is not the best, but I think this is the best I can provide here. -
RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
nablator > 2 hours ago
Are the 2 or 3 faint lines under texts meant to add a dose of mystery?
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RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
nablator > 1 hour ago
(3 hours ago)sivbugge Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.There is a limit of 2mb so the resolution is not the best, but I think this is the best I can provide here.
There is a much better than JPEG, standard image compressed format: WebP, available on all browsers since 2020, but this forum's antiquated software does not allow it. -
RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
sivbugge > 1 hour ago
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RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
JoJo_Jost > 1 hour ago
Wow, that’s really lovely; I’m absolutely blown away. But the drawing makes it clear, at least to me, that the VMS wasn’t just a hoax.... -
RE: Unknown alphabet - exhibition and book
Antonio García Jiménez > 1 hour ago
sivbugge, thank you for mentioning me in your post. Indeed, I agree with ReneZ, whom you also quote, that the central circle of the Rosettes with the six containers has a medicinal significance. I go much further, however, because I believe that this circle represents the fixed sphere of the stars, which are what bestow the medicinal properties upon the plants we see in the Voynich.
I believe that the Rosettes are a representation of the medieval cosmos; according to ReneZ, was also something that Mary d'Imperio thought. As you say, Koen G has also contributed valuable information to the understanding of the Rosettes.
I don't want to repeat my views on the Rosettes here. If you're interested, you can find them in my thread, in posts 1662, 1663, and 1673.
I wish you much success with the exhibition.