Planisfero Meridionale by Vincenzo Coronelli 1691
Buy this print on Etsy →A magnificent baroque star chart, this is the 'Planisfero Meridionale' - the map of the southern celestial hemisphere - engraved in 1691 by Vincenzo Coronelli, the greatest cosmographer of his age. Within a great circle ringed by decorative calendar tables, the stars of the southern sky are scattered across a field of gloriously imagined constellation figures: mythological beasts, heroes and exotic animals, all drawn with the swirling artistry that made Coronelli's work as much art as science. It is the night sky reimagined as a theatre of gods and creatures.
Vincenzo Coronelli (1650-1718) was a Venetian friar who became official cosmographer to the Republic of Venice and one of the most celebrated globe- and mapmakers in history, famed for the colossal globes he built for the court of Louis XIV of France. This celestial planisphere comes from that grand tradition, blending the best astronomical knowledge of the seventeenth century with the lavish decorative style of the Venetian baroque. Every constellation is personified, turning a scientific chart into a densely populated, endlessly explorable picture.
Part of the magic is that mix of accuracy and imagination: the real positions of the stars laid over a dreamlike menagerie of the heavens, framed by intricate borders and old-world lettering. It carries all the wonder of an age when astronomy, mythology and art were still gloriously intertwined.
As wall art it is a spectacular conversation piece. The rich detail and antique tones make it a natural for a study, home office or library, a living room or a gallery wall, and it suits classic, academic, celestial and eclectic interiors alike. It is a wonderful gift for astronomers, stargazers, historians and lovers of maps, mythology and vintage science, and it pairs beautifully with other antique celestial and cartographic prints.
Because the original was engraved in 1691, it is firmly in the public domain, which is why we can reproduce it at full museum quality.
Each print is produced on premium 189 gsm museum-grade archival matte paper, faithfully capturing the fine engraved detail and warm antique tones of the original chart - ready to frame and enjoy for years to come.
