The astronomer - Jan Vermeer
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Considered to be a companion piece to the geographer in the past this painting has had various names including the astrologer. It is easy to see the reason for the different names when you look at the items that the man has gathered around him. An open book could be considered to be a book about astrology or astronomy and the globe could also mean either title. The book itself is so well painted that it was able to tell the book title from what can be seen in the painting the book is called on the investigation and observation of the stars written in 1621. From the painting it could also be told that it was a second edition All this goes to show that Vermeer still had an eye for detail and still wanted accuracy in his works.
The Astronomer
1668.
Oil on canvas.
Louvre,
Paris, France