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Description

The Planisphaerium Caeleste by Georg Christoph Eimmart is a masterfully crafted double-hemisphere celestial map from the early 18th century. Reflecting the intellectual ferment of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, it combines artistic elegance with precise astronomical knowledge. Drawing upon the works of Johannes Hevelius, Sir Edmund Halley, and classical astronomical traditions, this map serves as both a scientific artifact and a visual celebration of the heavens. 

At the heart of the map are two richly detailed hemispheres, representing the northern and southern celestial spheres. These are adorned with vibrant constellations rendered in the style of Hevelius's Firmamentum Sociescianum sive Uranographia (1687). Mythological figures, celestial creatures, and symbolic imagery populate the star charts, beautifully illustrating the synthesis of empirical observation and classical mythology that characterized early modern astronomy. 

Surrounding the celestial spheres are six intricately drawn diagrams that showcase a variety of astronomical phenomena and theories. These include representations of the Tychonic and Ptolemaic planetary systems, which illustrate geocentric models that dominated pre-Copernican astronomy. The Copernican system, marking the heliocentric revolution, is also prominently featured, reflecting the transformative impact of this paradigm shift. Additional diagrams explore topics such as the relationship between the moon and tides, the illumination of the earth and moon by the sun, and the mechanics of eclipses.

Eimmart’s map represents the synthesis of two centuries of astronomical advancements. Incorporating Hevelius’s observational precision and Halley’s insights, the Planisphaerium Caeleste bridges the gap between the speculative cosmology of earlier periods and the rigorous empirical science of the Enlightenment.   

Condition Description
Original hand-color.
Reference
Kanas, page 170.