Sun, plate four from The Seven Planets with the Zodiacs 1539

"Sun," the fourth plate from *The Seven Planets with the Zodiacs*, is a 1539 engraving by the German artist Sebald Beham. The print depicts a crowned figure holding a staff that culminates in a sun with a face. The figure is accompanied by a lion, representing the astrological sign Leo, which is associated with the sun. The print is part of a series that combines astrology and allegory, reflecting the popularity of these subjects in Renaissance Germany. Beham's detailed and expressive style, typical of the Northern Renaissance, is evident in the intricate rendering of the figures, the landscape, and the sun. This small-scale artwork is an example of Beham's mastery of printmaking and his engagement with contemporary intellectual currents.