Christianized Constellation of Centaurus (Holy patriarchs Abraham and Isaac)

Artist or Author: Julius Schiller

Work: Coelum Stellatum Christianum

Date of Publication: 1627

Style: Engraving mounted to larger sheet

Paper Size: ~ 15 1/4" by 21 1/4"; Image ~ 13" by 11"

Condition: The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Description of the work:

This fascinating engraving is from Schiller’s " Coelum Stellatum Christianum ". It was published in Augsburg by Schiller in 1627. The plates were engraved by Lucas Kilian.

Presented on the print is an example of Schiller’s attempt to de-paganize the heavens. In the extensive work, Schiller replaced the signs of the Zodiac with the twelve apostles, the northern constellations with figures from the New Testament, and the southern constellations with figures from the Old Testament. He even gave Christian names to the known planets: the Sun was replaced by Jesus Christ, the moon was replaced by Mary, Jupiter was replaced by Moses, etc. Despite the fascinating subject matter, this star atlas remained a mere curiosity and did not gain wide-spread acceptance. Only one other work Andreas Cellarius, " Harmonia Macrocosmica " is known to have adopted any part of Schiller’s renaming.

Julius Schiller (1580-1627) was a German lawyer and astronomer from Augsburg who worked with Johann Bayer.