Photographische Sternkarten (October 15, 1901) 15 - 1901

On October 15, 1901, Wolf and Palisa made this photographic star chart, and, gosh, aren’t we glad they did? It's like a celestial roadmap. You know, when I look at this chart, I imagine Wolf and Palisa, heads together, poring over their photographs, carefully plotting each star. What must it have been like, working at the turn of the century, with all that analogue equipment? I like the combination of technical precision and human fallibility. The grid feels very modern, like an Agnes Martin painting, and the stars, like little, barely-there marks, are floating in space, like brushstrokes. It reminds me that all artists build on what came before, and that even the most technical images can be full of poetry, like the most beautiful abstract paintings. Isn't it funny how art and science can mirror each other, each inspiring the other's creativity? I find that really moving!