Andreas Cellarius (c. 1596-1665) (after)
Orbium Planetarum Terram Complectentium Scenographia
Situs Terrae Circulis Coelestibus Circundatae
from Harmonia Macrocosmica Seu Atlas Universalis Et Novus, Totius Universi Creati Cosmographiam Generalem, Et Novam Exhibens
G. Valk & P. Schenk, Amsterdam: 1708
Hand-colored engraving
16.5 x 20.25 inches
$5,500 each

Orbium Planetarum Terram Complectentium Scenographia: Astronomical chart in the form of the concentric rings of an armillary sphere, demonstrating the apparent movements of sun, moon and planets around the earth within an equinoctial and a zodiacal ring. It is decorated in the four corners by putti carrying two title-cartouches and two diagrams demonstrating the systems of Ptolemy and Tycho Brahe. In the center is a globe of the earth showing most of the American continent and the western part of Europe. Some light browning mainly in the margin. Rebacked on laid paper at a later date.

Situs Terrae Circulis Coelestibus Circundatae: Astronomical chart featuring the earth as a globe, within a meridian and horizon ring, surrounded by a zodiac band showing the constellations in the apparent path of the sun. Larger celestial circles are shown. The margins are decorated in the Baroque manner with cherubs and classical women (one possibly Urania) studying astronomy with various scientific instruments, amidst clouds.

These prints are from Andrea Cellarius' Harmonia Macrocosmica, the only celestial atlas published in the Netherlands during the golden age of Dutch cartography. The 29 cosmological engravings - together a compendium of theories of the universe as of the late 17th Century -- are richly engraved in the Baroque style, with elaborate decorative classical figures in the banners and four corners of each print. Cellarius illustrated various theories of astronomy, including the Ptolemaic theory that the earth was at the center of the universe, the revolutionary Copernican theory that the sun was at the center of the solar system, and Tycho Brahe's compromise intermediate theory. The magnificent constellation charts show star formations in traditional classical mythological forms, as well as an alternative interpretation of the stars in biblical forms.

The Cellarius atlas was originally issued by Jan Jansson in 1660. The first edition, second issue is identical except for the change of date to 1661. Peter Schenk and Gerard Valk reissued the copperplates of the original Cellarius atlas in 1708. These plates are identified by the addition of the new publisher's imprint on the title banner. This print is from the reissued edition.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual light toning, wear, soft creases.

References:

Koeman Cel 2; Brown, Astronomical Atlases 40-41

For more information about Cellarius, see R.H. van Gent's page, Cellarius, A Bio-Bibliographical Study.

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