Constellations, 17th Century


Eight constellations (from the top): Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius (a large figure drawing water from a well), Pisces, Cetus (a harpy with a peacock's tail), Orion (a standing turbaned male with sword and shepherd's staff), and the constellation Eridanus (the River). From 'Aja'ib al-makhluqat wa-ghara'ib al-mawjudat (Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of Things Existing) by Abu Yahya Zakariya' ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (1203-1283) an Arab physician, astronomer, geographer and proto-science fiction writer. Neither the copyist nor illustrator is named, and the copy is undated. The nature of paper, script, ink, illumination, and illustrations suggest that it was produced in provincial Mughal India, possibly the Punjab, in the 17th century.


Size: 2700px × 4046px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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