Calendar 1476

This calendar was made by Johannes Regiomontanus in the 15th century using ink on paper. It embodies the convergence of science and culture that defined the late medieval era. Regiomontanus, a mathematician, astrologer, and astronomer, created this calendar as a practical tool, but also as a symbolic representation of cosmic order. Consider the cultural context of the late 1400s in Europe. The Catholic Church was the main authority for knowledge and Regimontanus's calendar challenged this view with its embrace of empirical observation. The printing press, another relatively new invention, allowed for the mass production of such calendars, democratizing access to knowledge and challenging the Church’s monopoly on it. As art historians, we can use a variety of research resources to learn more about this calendar and its context. We can consult historical texts, astronomical records, and even church documents to understand the full scope of its meaning. We can see art as contingent on social and institutional context.