Andreas Cellarius: Hemisphaerii Borealis Coeli et Terrae Sphaerica Scenographia
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Cartographer:
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Andreas Cellarius
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Title:
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Hemisphaerii Borealis Coeli et Terrae Sphaerica Scenographia
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Date:
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1661
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Published:
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Amsterdam
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Width:
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21 inches / 54 cm
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Height:
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18 inches / 46 cm
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Map ref:
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CELEST1290
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Description:
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Glorious celestial map illustrating the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere overlaid on a circular map of the Eastern Hemipshere. Arabia, India, China and the faint outline of the west coast of Australia (marked as 'Nova Hollandia') can be made out. Britain, Scandinavia, and northern Europe appear near the upper edge of the world map.
The intention of the map is to show in two dimensions the three-dimensional nature of the Earth and the Heavens. In the image the Earth sphere (shaded grey) sits inside the blue celestial sphere and the constellations are projected on top of the world map. Ursa Major (the Great Bear), Orion, Leo, Scorpio, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, and Gemini are some of the more recognizable constellations which appear in the celestial sphere, all drawn and engraved in intricate detail. In the upper margins winged putti hold aloft the map's title banners while making celestial observations. In the lower corners earthbound astronomers make calculations of their own while teaching students how to observe and chart the stars.
To find out more about Andreas Cellarius's maps, read our extended blog post - "Finding our place in the Universe" - on The Map House blog.
Spectacular original hand-colour with the stars highlighted in gold. [CELEST1290] |