
Read the visual description
The image shows an engraving featuring two figures in a half-length view. The central figure is a young person seated, gazing upward with a serene expression. She has wavy hair and is dressed in a loose-fitting garment with a chain around her neck. The other figure to the right is an elderly person leaning closer, holding a scientific instrument up to the sky. This person has a lined face and wears a cap. In their other hand, they hold a spherical armillary. The scene is set against a detailed background with a stone building, windows, and a starry night sky. There is also a portion of a celestial chart or globe visible.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Astronomy
Cornelis Jacobsz Drebbel, after Hendrik Goltzius
- Date
- c. 1597
- Medium
- engraving on laid paper
- Dimensions
- sheet: 17.2 x 13 cm (6 3/4 x 5 1/8 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 2011.139.75
- Credit line
- Gift of the Estate of Leo Steinberg
- Time span
- 1551 to 1600
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- The Liberal Arts
Subjects and terms
- Window
- Female nude
- inscription
- calligraphic
- Stars
- Man
Provenance
Leo Steinberg [1920-2011], New York; gift to NGA 2011.
Inscription
bottom margin of plate: Ardua stelliferi perlustro sydera coeli, / Et ruteli Scrutor sublimes etheris orbes. / HG; by later hand, upper right verso, in graphite: 935; by later hand, bottom margin verso, in graphite: C. Drebbel - Goltzius "Astronomy" B III.7
NGA object ID 156096. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.