Hemelkaart van het stelsel van Ptolemaeus 1660 - 1708

This is an anonymous celestial map of Ptolemy's system, an intricate dance of lines and symbols rendered with ink on paper. At its heart, the Earth is shown as the centre of the cosmos. Around it, the sun, moon, and stars trace perfect circles, each embedded with classical figures, cherubs, and learned men. Note how this geocentric model echoes ancient cosmologies. In earlier Mesopotamian art, we see similar attempts to chart the heavens, reflecting humanity's enduring quest to understand its place in the universe. Consider, though, the psychological weight of this image. It speaks to a desire for order, a need to impose a rational structure on the infinite expanse of space. But the image also holds an intrinsic tension. Even as it asserts a fixed order, the swirling lines and celestial bodies hint at forces beyond human comprehension. The image's significance lies not only in its scientific representation but also in its enduring symbolic power, resurfacing and transforming across history, mirroring our ever-evolving understanding of the cosmos.