Athanasius Kircher: Systema Ideale Quo Exprimitur, Aquarium per Canales hydragogos subterraneos
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Cartographer:
|
Athanasius Kircher
|
|
Title:
|
Systema Ideale Quo Exprimitur, Aquarium per Canales hydragogos subterraneos
|
|
Date:
|
1664
|
|
Published:
|
Rome
|
|
Width:
|
16 inches / 41 cm
|
|
Height:
|
14 inches / 36 cm
|
|
Map ref:
|
WLD4433
|
|
Description:
|
|
A fascinating diagram of the interior of the Earth explaining Kircher's theory that a network of subterranean channels connected various bodies of water on the Earth's surface. He further theorized that the difference in temperature between the Earth's hot core and the cool surface propelled water upwards through these channels, creating tides, currents, and waves. As a Renaissaince polymath, Kircher was interested in all elements of mathematics and science and became determined to uncover the inner workings of the Earth. He speculated that the interactions water, fire, and air resulted not only in volcanic activity, but also in ocean currents, weather, earthquakes, and tides. Though his theories were vastly oversimplified and largely incorrect, his suspicions that the Earth had a heated core and that the surface of the earth was made of moving plates would both ultimately be proven correct.
Kircher's diagrams are some of the most visually arresting science illustrations ever published, and as such are extremely sought after by collectors.
Strong impression. [WLD4433] |