The polyhedron on Duerer's "Melencolia I"

Abstract

The polyhedron with triangular and pentagonal faces on the Duerer's "MELENCOLIA I" engraving is said to be a cube with two opposite corners cut off.  A cube has 6 faces, 12 sides and 8 corners. A cube with two truncated tips has 8 faces, 18 sides and 12 corners. In the above numbers, the prime factors 2 and 3 are implied. The numbers 2 and 3 are symbols for human beings, male and female.  The solid is a symbol for humanity. Men and women can be affected with melancholy.