Hemisphaerium Coeli Australe
Johann Gabriel Doppelmayr (1671-1750)
Johann Baptiste Homann (1664-1724)
Systema Solare et Planetarium
Astronomical chart from Atlas Coelestis
Published by Homann Heirs
Nuremberg, Germany, 1742
Hand-colored engraving
WOP-35l

The Doppelmayr/Homann Atlas is similar to Cellarius' Harmonia Macrocosmica (also in this exhibition) in its attempt to record the history of astronomy through ornately decorated plates. The atlas, started by Homann and completed by Doppelmayr, includes charts illustrating astronomical principles as well as an extended section of celestial charts.

Sytema Solare et Planetarium represents one of the many charts in the Atlas that do not map the sky, but provide diagrammatic illustrations of astronomical principles lavishly adorned with artistic touches. This chart almost rivals those of Cellarius in its artistic arrangement of technical information complemented by elaborate surrounding illustrations. Here, however, Homann includes additonal astronomical information along with purely decorative touches. The upper right corner features a dramatic representation of theories of numerous other solar systems scattered throughout the heavens. Other astronomical sidenotes include diagrams of eclipses, planetary system theories, and a magnitude chart comparing the planets to the Sun. The Astronomy personified in the lower right corner is especially fetching as she daintily dangles a diagram of the Copernicus system from its decorative ribbon-like border. A sense of humor is also apparent in these ornamental additions; one of the childlike figures (putti) at the bottom playing with scientific instruments is poking his telescope right into the constellation of Sagittarius in the zodiacal ring.