Artwork
Frontispiece for the Sacred Cosmologia (Title With Astrologers)
Frontispiece for the Sacred Cosmologia (Title With Astrologers) is an ink print by the Baroque artist French 17th Century. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This etching serves as the frontispiece for Sacred Cosmologia, a book exploring celestial meanings.
About this work
Overview
This etching serves as the frontispiece for Sacred Cosmologia, a book exploring celestial meanings. The scene depicts three figures engaging with a wheel-like, gear-equipped device, set against a backdrop of nature (trees) and human settlement (a walled city and river). The interplay between scientific instrumentality and natural surroundings is central to the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The etching illustrates a convergence of scientific inquiry and natural observation. The central device, resembling an astrolabe, signifies the measurement and study of celestial bodies. The three men’s poses (pointing, staff-holding, leaning on a bag) suggest discussion, guidance, and perhaps travel or exploration, underscoring the pursuit of cosmological knowledge.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching on laid paper, the work features fine lines and nuanced shading, characteristic of the etching medium. This technique allowed for detailed, high-contrast imagery, suitable for illustrating complex subjects like astronomical instruments.
History & Provenance
Created as the frontispiece for Sacred Cosmologia, this etching’s primary function was to introduce the book’s themes of celestial study and interpretation. Specific details on its creation date, artist, or the book’s publication history are not provided.
Context
The piece reflects the Renaissance-era interest in reconciling scientific discovery with established knowledge systems, including astrology. The setting, with its blend of natural and built environments, contextualizes the astrolabe’s use within a broader, observable world.
Artist & collection
Artist
Seventeenth-century French printmakers worked in burin and acid. See the Beggar Woman with Rosary (1622), etched on laid paper with her hands folded in prayer, or The Siege of La Rochelle (1628/1631), one sheet from a…
