Astronomy, from The Seven Liberal Arts, plate 7 1544

Monogrammist B created this engraving, "Astronomy," around the mid-16th century as part of a series on the liberal arts. The image depicts a nude female figure seated at a desk, carefully examining a celestial globe. In Renaissance Europe, the liberal arts were considered essential for a well-rounded education, preparing individuals for a life of civic engagement. Representing them through idealized female nudes was a common visual strategy. But here, the artist emphasizes astronomy, reflecting the period's burgeoning interest in science and mathematical approaches to understanding the cosmos. To understand this print, we might consult contemporary educational treatises and scientific diagrams. These sources would reveal how artists gave visual form to evolving knowledge and how those images circulated in the 16th century. The social and institutional contexts are crucial in deciphering the meanings embedded within this seemingly simple image.