Cellarius Himmelsatlas

Atlas Harmonia Macrocosmia by Andreas Cellarius (1661)

The Harmonia Macrocosmia is a magnificently illustrated celestial atlas from the Baroque period, published in 1661 by the astronomer and cartographer Andreas Cellarius. The work features 29 double-sided, colored copper engravings that impressively visualize the worldviews of Claudius Ptolemy, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe.

Particularly fascinating are the intricate depictions of the constellations, as well as the elaborate border illustrations featuring angels, astronomers, and astronomical instruments. The engravings are among the most renowned astronomical images in history and have been widely reproduced for books, posters, and artworks.

The atlas was printed by the famous Amsterdam publisher Johannes Janssonius, a leading publisher of scientific cartographic works. The Harmonia Macrocosmia is not only a testament to Baroque print art but also an impressive document of the evolving perspective on the universe.