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.
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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
Print
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.