Spherical Earth Collection

The Christ child holding the orb, 1493. Creator: Dürer, Albrecht (1471-1528)
The Christ child holding the orb, 1493. Found in the Collection of the Albertina, Vienna

Copernicus in Rome. From: La ciencia y sus hombres, 1879. Private Collection

Harmonia Macrocosmica. The planisphere of Copernicus, 1660. Creator: Cellarius, Andreas (c
Harmonia Macrocosmica. The planisphere of Copernicus, 1660. Private Collection

Nicolaus Copernicus (After Jan Matejko), 1874. Creator: Cynk, Florian Stanislaw (1838-1912)
Nicolaus Copernicus (After Jan Matejko), 1874. Found in the Collection of Biblioteka Narodowa, Warszawa

Nicolaus Copernicus, 1874. Creator: Matejko, Jan Alojzy (1838-1893)
Nicolaus Copernicus, 1874. Found in the Collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Still Life with Musical Instruments, Globe and Armillary Sphere (Detail), 17th century. Found in the Collection of Art History Museum, Vienne

The Globes (From the Grand Atlas of all the World), 1725. Creator: Homann, Johann Baptist
The Globes (From the Grand Atlas of all the World), 1725. Private Collection

Illustration from Les premieres ?uvres de Jacques de Vaulx, pillote en la marine, 1583
Illustration from " Les premieres ?uvres de Jacques de Vaulx, pillote en la marine", 1583. Found in the Collection of Bibliotheque Nationale de France

Louis de Gruuthuse before an astronomical clock (From: Horloge de Sapience by Henri Suso), ca. 1470-1480. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Astrolabe, Early 18th cen. Found in the Collection of State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Saint Augustine in His Study. Artist: Botticelli, Sandro (1445-1510)
Saint Augustine in His Study. Found in the collection of Chiesa di Ognissanti, Florence

Artes Mechanicae. Frieze in the Casa Pellizzari, c. 1500. Artist: Giorgione (1476-1510)
Artes Mechanicae. Frieze in the Casa Pellizzari, c. 1500. Found in the collection of Casa Giorgione, Castelfranco Veneto

Portrait of Princess Dorothea of Denmark (1520-1580), ca 1530. Artist: Gossaert, Jan (ca. 1478-1532)
Portrait of Princess Dorothea of Denmark (1520-1580), ca 1530. Found in the collection of the National Gallery, London

The Infant Christ on the Orb of the World, ca 1530. Artist: Cleve, Joos, van (ca. 1485-1540)
The Infant Christ on the Orb of the World, ca 1530. Found in the collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections

A Young Astronomer, ca 1685. Artist: Deuren, Olivier van (1666-1714)
A Young Astronomer, ca 1685. Found in the collection of the National Gallery, London

Cometa, qui anno Christi, 1742. Artist: Seutter, Matthaeus (1678-1757)
Cometa, qui anno Christi, 1742. Found in the collection of the Yale University

Astrolabe, Second half of the16th cen Artist: Arsenius, Gualterus (c. 1530-c. 1580)
Astrolabe, Second half of the16th cen.. Found in the collection of the Universita di Padova

Portrait of the Astronomer. Artist: Basaiti, Marco (c. 1470-1530)
Portrait of the Astronomer. Found in the collection of the State Art Gallery, Lviv

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In the realm of scientific discovery, few theories have had as profound an impact on our understanding of the universe as the concept of a spherical Earth. From ancient civilizations to Renaissance scholars, this idea has captivated minds and reshaped our perception of the world we inhabit. One pivotal figure in this narrative is Nicolaus Copernicus, whose revolutionary work challenged prevailing beliefs about celestial bodies. In Rome, where Copernicus resided during his studies, he delved into the depths of astronomical knowledge. His presence in this historic city serves as a reminder of his significant contributions to science. The artistic depictions from that era further emphasize the importance placed on understanding Earth's shape. The Harmonia Macrocosmica planisphere by Andreas Cellarius showcases Copernicus' cosmological model, highlighting his belief in a heliocentric system. This intricate artwork symbolizes humanity's quest for knowledge and its ability to unravel mysteries hidden within nature. Jan Matejko's portrayal captures Copernicus' essence with remarkable precision. The painting exudes an air of intellectual curiosity and determination as it immortalizes one man's pursuit of truth amidst societal opposition. Meanwhile, still life paintings featuring globes and armillary spheres remind us that these concepts were not confined solely to academia but permeated various aspects of daily life during that period. These objects served both practical purposes and symbolic representations - tools for navigation and exploration while also embodying mankind's desire to comprehend its place in the vast cosmos. Even earlier works like Jacques de Vaulx's illustrations or Botticelli’s depiction of Saint Augustine engrossed in study demonstrate how thinkers throughout history grappled with questions surrounding Earth’s shape and position within the universe. As time progressed, advancements such as astrolabes became crucial instruments aiding navigators across uncharted waters – tangible evidence supporting a spherical Earth theory that would revolutionize seafaring journeys forevermore. These historical artifacts collectively illustrate humanity's ceaseless pursuit of knowledge and the gradual acceptance of a spherical Earth.