Twaalf diagrammen van de stadia van de maansverduistering van 22 juli 1888 before 1891

These twelve diagrams of the lunar eclipse of July 22, 1888, were created by Edward Singleton Holden, using ink on paper. This wasn't just any paper; it was likely meticulously prepared, perhaps with a coating to ensure the ink would hold a crisp, precise line. Consider the craft involved in creating these diagrams. The artist had to observe the moon, translate that into precise drawings, and then render these with the pen in a way that was both accurate and legible. This wasn't about expressive gesture, but scientific precision. The material of the ink, its flow and consistency, would have been carefully considered. The artist was employing a technique rooted in both scientific observation and artistic skill, merging different practices. In a time before digital imagery, such drawings were essential for documenting astronomical events, requiring skilled labor to produce. It is important to appreciate these diagrams for their skill in both craft and observation.