Cellarius' Planisphaerium Ptolemaicum Orbium Mundi Ex Hypothesi is a "planispheric", or two-dimensional plan view rendering of the earth-centric solar system as described by Ptolemy and accepted by the civilized world before Copernicus. Earth is shown from above and surrounded by the fiery orbit of the sun. The other planets are drawn along their earth-centered orbits by celestial chariots.

At the lower corners, older and beleaguered scholars and astronomers -- possibly including Ptolemy -- appear disinterested in the global considerations of their younger counterparts. This is an exquisite work of art that illustrates the pre-Copernican understanding and scientific knowledge of the heavens. Our Perfect Recreation™ of this spectacular image transports to the 21st century this perfect example of the marriage of art and science that charaterizes the Art of Discovery.

About Andreas Cellarius

Andreas Cellarius produced the most elaborately beautiful celestial atlas of the 17th century, the Atlas Coelestis seu Harmonia Macrocosmica. This startlingly gorgeous and imaginative work presented powerful visual explanations of the theories of Ptolemy, Copernicus and Brahe as well as ingenious star charts and lunar diagrams.

Cellarius was born in Germany in 1596; he lived and worked in Holland from 1625 until his death in 1665, a period coinciding with the Golden Age of Dutch map-making and engraving.

Simultaneous with with the era's geographic and scientific discoveries, the art of graphically representing and disseminating these new ideas via engraving and printing was perfected.

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