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Formation of planets myth
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Formation of planets myth
Formation of planets myth. Engraving by J. vander Schley, from Pierre de Hondt, Histoire Naturelle generale et particuliere avec la description du Cabinet du Roy. Frontispiece to Preuves de la Theorie de la Terre. Article I. De la formation des Planetes. Date: 1750
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Media ID 10290409
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10972052
1750 Avec Cabinet Description Formation Frontispiece Generale Histoire Hondt Naturelle Particuliere Pierre Planets Schley Terre Vander Myth
EDITORS COMMENTS
This enchanting engraving by J. vander Schley, from Pierre de Hondt's "Histoire Naturelle Générale et Particulière avec la Description du Cabinet du Roy," published in 1750, depicts the mythological account of the formation of the planets. The frontispiece, titled "Article I. De la formation des Planetes," transports us back to an era when celestial bodies were shrouded in mystery and mythology. The image illustrates the ancient Greek myth of the creation of the planets, as described by the poet Aratus and the astronomer Eudoxus. In the center, we see the god Zeus, the king of the gods, holding a celestial sphere in his hands. Surrounding him are the six known planets at that time: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun and the Moon. According to the myth, Zeus created the planets by throwing the seeds of stars into the sky. Here, we see him in the act of casting Saturn, represented as an old man with a scythe, into the heavens. The other planets emerge from the swirling clouds, each with its unique characteristics. This work of art, with its intricate details and rich symbolism, offers a glimpse into the historical and cultural context of the 18th century, when scientific inquiry and mythology intertwined to shape our understanding of the universe. The engraving serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with the cosmos and the role of mythology in shaping our collective imagination.
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