Astronomia
Engraving
1645 (printed)
1645 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This print is from a series of etchings by Francis Clein. The prints show the liberal arts as female figures. The seven liberal arts were defined in late antiquity, and became the traditional curriculum of secular learning in the Middle Ages. They were divided into two groups: the trivium (Grammar, Logic or Dialetics and Rhetoric) and the quadrivium (Geometry, Arithmetic, Astronomy and Music). This representation of them as young women and their identifying attributes matches the conventional description made as early as the fifth century by the grammarian Martianus Capellus.
This print shows a female figure with wings and a halo made from stars, embodying Astronomy. She leans on a globe decorated with Zodiac signs, and is surrounded by the paraphernalia of astronomy.
This print shows a female figure with wings and a halo made from stars, embodying Astronomy. She leans on a globe decorated with Zodiac signs, and is surrounded by the paraphernalia of astronomy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Etching on paper |
| Brief description | Francis Cleyn, Astronomia. Plate from a suite of 7 including title plate showing the seven liberal arts entitled 'Septem Liberales Artes'. London, England, 1645. |
| Physical description | Print showing a winged female figure with a halo made from stars, leaning on a globe decorated with Zodiac signs, accompanied by a man pointing at the night sky |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Lettered in the upper left of the plate:
'Astronomia' |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Mr Arthur Laws |
| Object history | The seven liberal arts were defined in late antiquity, and became the traditional curriculum of secular learning in the Middle Ages. They were divided into two groups: the trivium (Grammar, Logic or Dialetics and Rhetoric) and the quadrivium (Geometry, Arithmetic, Astronomy and Music). This representation of them as young women and their identifying attributes matches the conventional description made as early as the fifth century by the grammarian Martianus Capellus. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This print is from a series of etchings by Francis Clein. The prints show the liberal arts as female figures. The seven liberal arts were defined in late antiquity, and became the traditional curriculum of secular learning in the Middle Ages. They were divided into two groups: the trivium (Grammar, Logic or Dialetics and Rhetoric) and the quadrivium (Geometry, Arithmetic, Astronomy and Music). This representation of them as young women and their identifying attributes matches the conventional description made as early as the fifth century by the grammarian Martianus Capellus. This print shows a female figure with wings and a halo made from stars, embodying Astronomy. She leans on a globe decorated with Zodiac signs, and is surrounded by the paraphernalia of astronomy. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.1274-1936 |
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| Record created | July 18, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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