On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Lunar Planisphere, Flat Light
John Russell British
Not on view
This exquisitely detailed engraving shows the moon as if illuminated by flat, even light—conditions perfectly suited to graphic reproduction. Russell aimed for seamless perfection, believing that while nature offers the wellspring for art, the artist must "correct" it in order to obtain an ideal result. In spite of its seemingly "photographic" realism, the print favors artistry over scientific accuracy, offering a view of the moon as it could never be seen in nature.
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