Bilder Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680) – View of the Maelstrom and Subterranean Water Channels – Engraving (1664)

Beskrivning

"Liber Tertius" contains a scientific diagram illustrating Kircher's theory of how ocean currents and whirlpools like the Norwegian Maelstrom function. The engraving shows two large water columns or subterranean passages connecting the surface ocean to a deep underground reservoir, suggesting a system of internal tunnels through which the earth's waters circulate. This work was published in Amsterdam in 1664 as part of Mundus Subterraneus, Kircher's extensive exploration of the physical and hidden structures of the globe. The illustration reflects the seventeenth-century attempt to explain complex oceanic phenomena through mechanical and hydrological models.

Athanasius Kircher was a German Jesuit scholar and polymath who became one of the most prolific and influential scientific figures of the seventeenth century. Based in Rome, he published approximately forty major works covering diverse fields including geology, medicine, oriental studies, and music. He is often referred to as the master of a hundred arts due to his vast range of interests and his early use of the microscope for medical research. Kircher's Mundus Subterraneus was a landmark in early earth sciences, proposing revolutionary, though often speculative, theories about the interior of the earth and the movement of water.

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.