Art in the Sign of the Stars

Twinkling stars, sun, moon, constellations: The heavenly bodies offer an impressive sight and have their very own magic. From prehistoric times through antiquity and the Middle Ages to the present day, they have magically attracted people and aroused their urge to explore - the first forms of astronomy, which are documented as early as around 15,000 BC. In addition to their scientific interest, people of all cultures have associated the stars with great symbolic power.

Many artists have been inspired by the mysterious expanses of the cosmos: for example, Albrecht Dürer ("The Star Maps") or Paul Klee ("Scholars Dealing with the Stars"). The painter Adam Elsheimer apparently achieved a small scientific sensation. His picture "Flight into Egypt" shows a starry sky rich in detail and, true to nature, the Milky Way. The special detail: The painting is said to have been created in the late summer of 1609 - several months before Galileo Galilei reported on his exploration of the Milky Way. It seems that the painter, who was very interested in astronomy and owned an early telescope, was just ahead of the scientist here.

You can find works on the theme "Art in the Sign of the Stars" at ars mundi here...