Frederic de Wit 17th-century celestial map_ Myths and science

Have you ever gazed at the stars and wondered about the myths and scientific theories that have shaped our understanding of the cosmos? Today we'll explore Frederick de Witt's stunning 17th century celestial map, a masterpiece of astronomical art and science. Welcome to Art Lectures. Today we're examining an oversized and beautifully engraved double hemisphere celestial map created by the Dutch cartographer and artist Frederick de Witt around 1680. This rare and remarkable piece not only maps the stars but also illustrates key astronomical theories of its time. The map is composed of two main hemispheres, the northern and southern hemispheres, each centred on the elliptic pole and rendered on a polar stereographic projection. The constellations are shown in pictorial form with a particular emphasis on those associated with the zodiac. Surrounding the main hemispheres are six supplementary diagrams that illustrate the Copernican, Ptolemaic and Tycho-Braha hypotheses, as well as the phases of the moon relative to the sun, the rotational pattern of the day and the rotation of the moon around the earth. One of the most striking features of this map is the inclusion of mythological creatures and figures. For instance, the constellation Pegasus, the mythical winged stallion, is depicted with rainbow-coloured wings. According to Greek mythology, Pegasus created the fabled Hippocrene fountain on Mount Olympus by striking the ground with his hooves. This constellation was one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD and remains one of the 88 constellations recognised today. Another fascinating detail is the depiction of Sirius, the brightest star in the earth's night sky, shown as an upside-down dog. This star has been observed since ancient times, known as Soptet in Egypt. The Greeks associated the appearance of Sirius with the start of summer, coining the phrase, Dog Days of Summer. In DeWitt's map, Sirius is depicted as chasing the constellation Lepus, the hare. The map also includes the constellation Titus, a sea monster from Greek mythology. The story goes that the goddess Cassiopeia angered Poseidon by claiming her daughter Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids, sea nymphs. In retaliation, Poseidon sent Titus to attack. Andromeda was chained to a rock as a sacrifice, but the hero Perseus arrived just in time to save her and slay the beast. Surrounding these constellations are detailed diagrams explaining various astronomical hypotheses of the time. The Illuminatio Lunae Persolum illustrates the phases of the moon in relation to the sun. The Hypothesis Copernicana and Motus Terrae Annuus Circa Solum demonstrate the Copernican theory of the earth's annual movement around the sun. The Hypothesis Tychonica shows Tycho Brahe's hybrid model combining aspects of both the Ptolemaic and Copernican systems. The Hypothesis Ptolemaica depicts the earth-centered universe according to Ptolemy, and Deus Fatiabat Duo Magna Luminaria reflects the biblical creation of the two great lights. Frederick DeWitt's Celestial Map is not only a scientific document, but also a work of art, embellished with dark storm clouds and an elaborate title banner. It captures the blend of mythology and science that characterized the astronomical knowledge of the 17th century. Thank you for joining us on Art Lectures. Please like and subscribe for more insightful art explorations.