Urania 1796

"Urania" is a 1796 drawing by German artist Alexander Liernur. The artwork depicts the Greek muse of astronomy, Urania, in a classical pose, leaning on a pedestal and holding a compass. The artwork, framed in an oval, likely references a muse of astronomy from the "Musée de l'Astronomie" (Museum of Astronomy), a museum in Paris that was founded in 1795 and housed the observatory. Liernur's drawing demonstrates a mastery of light and shadow with the delicate graphite work of his time. The composition is balanced and elegant, emphasizing the classical ideal of beauty and knowledge.