Hemelkaart met de zuidelijke sterrenbeelden 1660 - 1708

This anonymous 17th century celestial chart, "Hemelkaart met de zuidelijke sterrenbeelden" (Southern Constellations Celestial Chart), depicts the southern hemisphere's constellations. The detailed engraving, held in the Rijksmuseum, showcases a circular map with constellations drawn in intricate detail, with the prominent celestial bodies labeled in Latin. The artist incorporates figures and objects associated with the constellations, lending a mythical dimension to the scientific representation of the cosmos. The map is an excellent example of astronomical cartography, highlighting the merging of science and art in the 17th century.