Kaart van de maan 1702 - 1742

This "Map of the Moon" is an engraving that charts the lunar surface with an astronomer's precision. What strikes me is not just the scientific accuracy, but the symbolic dance that accompanies it. See the figures observing the celestial body, reminiscent of ancient stargazers, linking empirical observation with an age-old human quest to understand our place in the cosmos. Consider the wheel-like diagrams, which evoke the cyclical nature of time and knowledge, like the orbits of planets. This echoes the "Rota Fortunae," the Wheel of Fortune, a medieval symbol of life's unpredictable turns, yet here it is applied to the cosmos, suggesting that even celestial bodies are subject to cosmic laws. Such a fusion of science and symbolism reminds us that our understanding of the universe is never purely objective, that it’s always filtered through the lens of cultural memory and the human psyche. It's a testament to how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time, creating a powerful visual language that speaks to our collective unconscious.