Hemelkaart met de noordelijke en zuidelijke sterrenbeelden 1705

This star map, an engraving at the Rijksmuseum, charts the constellations of the northern and southern hemispheres. Encircled by swirling clouds, celestial bodies are rendered with scientific precision. Note the prominent display of astronomical models. These reflect humanity's enduring quest to understand our place in the cosmos. Similar cosmological diagrams appear in ancient Babylonian star charts, each culture weaving its own narrative into the heavens. The geometric precision reminds us of the cyclical return of symbols, from the sacred circles of ancient sun-worship to modern scientific diagrams. These aren't mere scientific diagrams, however. They are imbued with a psychological weight, tapping into our collective fascination with the cosmos. Such images capture the human yearning to map the unknown, transforming the night sky into a canvas for our hopes and dreams. The constellations, like mythical figures, resurface through history. Their forms subtly morph with our evolving understanding of the world, bearing new meanings for each generation.