Atlas Harmonia Macrocosmica by Andreas Cellarius

Atlas Harmonia Macrocosmica by Andreas Cellarius

The Atlas Harmonia Macrocosmia by Andreas Cellarius (ca. 1596–1665) is one of the most magnificently colored astronomical works of the Baroque period. The historical star atlas from 1661 shows the world according to models by Claudius Ptolemy, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe on a total of 21 engravings. Eight further double-paged colored engravings are dedicated to star constellations with classical and Christian interpretations. With his first-class plates by Frederik Hendrik van den Hooven (ca. 1628–1698), Jan van Loon, and Jan Pieterszoon Saenredan (1565–1607), the celestial atlas impressively presents the observer with the development of the astronomical world view.

A German Astronomer in the Netherlands

The astronomer, mathematician, and cartographer Andreas Cellarius came from the area of Worms. However, he had lived and worked as a teacher in the Netherlands, where the manufacture of globes and precise maps had a long tradition, since 1625. The Atlas Harmonia Macrocosmia, his only astronomical work, was first published by Johannes Janssonius (1588–1664) in 1660. The Dutchman's publishing house in Amsterdam was well-known for astronomy and cartography, so Janssonius printed the work as a supplement to his Altlas Novus.

Popular Copperplate Charts

Few other astronomical works possess depictions that are as well-known as those from Cellarius' celestial atlas. Again and again, they were reproduced for books, posters, and even puzzles and enjoyed great popularity. They amaze their viewers with plentiful details again and again. Above all, the elaborate frame illustrations delight with numerous small angels, various astronomers, and also interesting astronomical instruments.

The 29 double-page, colored copperplate engravings in detail

1. The Ptolemaic Planisphere, that is, the machinery of the celestial circles according to Ptolemy's hypothesis in a planar depiction
2. The scenario of the Ptolemaic world system (presentation page)
3. The scenario of the planetary circles enclosing the Earth
4. The Copernican Planisphere, that is, the system of the entire creation of the world according to Copernicus's hypothesis, presented in a planar depiction
5. The scenario of the Copernican system
6. The Brahean Planisphere, that is, the structure of the entire world according to Tycho Brahe's hypothesis, depicted in a planar depiction
7. The scenario of the world structure according to Tycho Brahe
8. The Planisphere of Aratos, that is, the structure of the celestial circles according to Aratos's hypothesis in a planar depiction
9. Tycho Brahe's calculation of the planets' movements and their distances
10. The size of the celestial bodies
11. The position of the Earth surrounded by the celestial circles
12. The hemispheres, demonstrating the influence on motion and length for both terrestrial and celestial spheres, both straight and oblique, and also for the stars
13. The hemisphere of the ancient world with its zones and circles, as well as the areas of its various inhabitants
14. The traditional Ptolemaic hypothesis, as it represents the motion of the planets with eccentrics and epicycles
15. The image of the aspects of the planets, oppositions, conjunctions, etc.
16. The theory of solar motion with an eccentric circle without an epicycle
17. The spiral motion of the Sun around the Earth
18. The theory of the Moon, representing its motion on an eccentric circle and an epicycle
19. The image of the Moon, outlining the various phases and aspects of the Moon
20. The theory of the motion of the three upper planets
21. The theory of the motion of Venus and Mercury
22. The first hemisphere of the Christian celestial heaven
23. The second hemisphere of the Christian celestial heaven
24. The northern hemisphere according to the traditional conception
25. The scenery of the northern hemisphere, heaven and Earth
26. The northern hemisphere with the Earth's hemisphere superimposed on it
27. The southern hemisphere according to the traditional conception
28. The scenery of the southern hemisphere, heaven and Earth
29. The southern hemisphere in equal proportion with the Earth's spheres