Bilder Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680) – View of the Hydrogeological System of the Earth – Engraving (1664)

Beskrivning

"Liber Quintus, Sect. II" presents a cross-sectional diagram of a landmass or island showing Kircher's theory of subterranean water distribution. The engraving illustrates a central reservoir labeled A, from which various channels carry water to the surface through different mineral deposits to form springs and fountains with distinct medicinal properties. This work was published in Amsterdam in 1664 as part of Mundus Subterraneus, Kircher's encyclopedic investigation into the mysteries of the earth's interior. The plate serves to explain how the interaction between water and underground minerals creates the diverse variety of thermal and mineral springs found across the globe.

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.