Bilder Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680) – Subterranean Hydrophylacia and the Origin of Rivers – Engraving (1664)

Beskrivning

"De Fluminum Origine" illustrates a cross-section of a mountainous landscape revealing vast subterranean caverns, or hydrophylacia, filled with water that feeds various river systems flowing toward the sea. The engraving displays Kircher’s theoretical model of the Earth's interior, where massive reservoirs connected to the ocean via underground tunnels act as the primary source for the world's freshwater springs and rivers. This work is from Mundus Subterraneus, published in Amsterdam in 1664, which served as one of the most ambitious attempts of the seventeenth century to explain the physical and geological mechanics of the planet.

Athanasius Kircher was a German Jesuit scholar and polymath who published over forty major works on subjects ranging from geology and medicine to oriental studies and music. Known as the Master of a Hundred Arts, he occupied a central position in the seventeenth-century Republic of Letters, maintaining a global network of correspondence to gather scientific data. His geological theories often blended empirical observation with speculative philosophy, seeking to reconcile the biblical narrative with the emerging physical sciences. Kircher's influence was profound, and his museum in Rome became a premiere destination for scholars seeking to understand the hidden wonders of the natural world.

Artist or Maker: Athanasius Kircher.

Dimensions: Approximately 40 cm x 24 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1664.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.