Jean Taisner

Jean Taisnier (or Taisner) (Latin: Johannes Taisnierius; 1508, Ath, Habsburg Netherlands – 1562, Cologne), surnamed Hannonius (i.e., of the County of Hainaut), was a Wallonian musician, mathematician and astrologer who published a number of works and taught in various European cities and universities. In some sources he is mis-named Jean Fuisnier. He was for some time schoolmaster of the boys of the Chapel (Sacellanus) in the court of Emperor Charles V. By 1559 he styled himself "Poet Laureate" (a laureation of the Holy Roman Empire), and "Doctor of both Laws", but upon what authority is unknown. While he propounded a general theory of Mathematics in four "Quantities" of Astronomy, Geometry, Arithmetic and Music, and aimed to publish a general exposition of them, he became preoccupied with astrology and cheiromancy, and neglected to publish his advertized Treatise on Music which (given his experience) might have been the most interesting of all his works. His unacknowledged use of the work of other authors has incurred the accusation of plagiarism. He was the great-uncle of David Teniers the Elder. Life Origins and education John, or Jehan, Taisnier was one of the children of Thomas Taisnière, a successful Wallonian merchant who owned various properties near the market-place of the city of Ath, and his wife, demoiselle Cathérine de l'Issue. The families were long-established in that place. He had a sister Françoise and brothers Joachim (Taynière) and Pierchon. These relationships are illustrated in a series of deeds in the archives of Ath: they show that father Thomas died before 4 October 1522, when Joachim, the eldest son, succeeded him as "matricularius" or parochial clerk for registrations, of the church of Saint-Julien (an office held by contract). Joachim was the grandfather of the painter David Teniers the Elder. Jean went to college in Ath, and studied Law at the University of Louvain, from which he acquired the title "Maître" (Master) by which he was known from 1531. It was not until 1558 that he referred to himself as "Doctor of both laws", so he probably did not obtain his doctorate at Louvain. Much of the available information about Taisner's life and career depends upon his own statements made at various places in his published works, and especially in his cheiromantic readings, which are full of biographical details. His examples given in the Opus Mathematicum of 1562 might almost have been selected to provide a narrative of his own life.