Idea dell' Universo
Vincenzo Maria Coronelli (1650-1718)
Astrological calendar
Venice, c. 1700
Handcolored engraving
WOP-141

This chart represents an accounting of the major astronomical and astrological ideas at the beginning of the 18th century. The diagrams range from illustrations of solar and lunar eclipses and terrestrial maps to diagrams of astrological aspects and a chart indicating which zodiacal signs govern the various parts of the body. On the center right edge is a diagram, the sole purpose of which seems to be to demonstrate that the earth is round. One especially interesting section located at the top of this chart is an extremely dense representation of an Aristotelian planetary system. It features bands of minuscule text circling around the Earth; each band describes the heavenly body that inhabits the corresponding orb.