Hemelkaart met de noordelijke sterrenbeelden 1721 - 1728

This celestial map presents the Northern constellations, a wheel of mythical figures and cosmic arrangements. The stars, meticulously charted, form patterns imbued with age-old narratives, reflecting humanity’s enduring effort to impose order and meaning onto the night sky. Consider the figure of Ursa Major, the Great Bear. This constellation and its association with a bear, is a motif found across cultures from ancient Greece to indigenous North America. The image of the bear transcends geographical boundaries, appearing in myths and legends as a symbol of strength, protection, and primal power. It resonates with our subconscious understanding of nature's untamed forces. The persistent presence of these celestial symbols speaks to a collective memory, and to an intrinsic human desire to connect with the cosmos. In the cyclical progression of history, these star maps reappear, each time re-engaging humanity in a timeless dance between observation, imagination, and myth.