Uranometria (1661)

Highlights

• Ioannis Bayeri Rhainani Vranometria 1661 (84132114) (cropped) — a faithful reproduction of an antique celestial star chart.
• CHOOSE YOUR SIZE & FORMAT: Pick your dimensions and shape right from this listing — vertical, horizontal, panoramic and square options available.
• MUSEUM-QUALITY GICLEE: Fade-resistant archival inks on premium artist-grade canvas, hand-stretched and gallery-wrapped over a solid 1.5" wood frame, hardware attached and ready to hang.
• A REFINED FOCAL POINT for the living room, bedroom, study, home office or entryway — timeless style with lasting appeal.
• HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA: Made to order in multiple sizes and shapes — a thoughtful, gallery-worthy gift.

Description

This engraved plate from Johann Bayer's Uranometria depicts a richly detailed celestial map featuring several constellation figures — including bird-like creatures and a peacock — rendered in fine intaglio lines against an aged, cream-toned ground, with stars marked by graduated symbols and radiating grid lines. Uranometria, first published in 1603 and reissued in 1661, was a landmark star atlas produced by the German lawyer and astronomer Johann Bayer; it was the first atlas to cover the entire celestial sphere and introduced the still-used Bayer designation system for naming stars by Greek letter within each constellation. The composition's intricate crosshatching and mythological figures give it a scholarly, antique character well suited to a library, study, or astronomy-themed interior.