Astronomy, part of a set of allegories of the liberal arts and the sciences

Engraving, part of a series of six plates with allegories of three liberal arts and three sciences, personified by female figures surrounded by grotesque motifs. This series was created by Delaune after an earlier series of the same subject, with only slight modifications to the designs in some plates.



These allegories are endowed with attributes that somewhat correspond to the science or the art they evoke; the inner frame of the scene is flanked by scrolling motifs of different types. This print represents Astronomy, personified by a female figure, standing with her head turned to the right. With her left hand she raises an astrolabe, and with the right hands she points towards a celestial sphere, which is on the ground next to her. At her feet, opposite to the globe, are an instrument of astronomy and an olive branch.



Above the personification of Astronomy, framing her head, are two cornucopias, forming a bracket from which hang other measuring instruments, including a sextant, a compass, a carpenter's square, and a crossbow. To either side of the cartouche upon which she stands is a winged snail, likely symbolizing an the opposition between fast and slow in the learning process of the sciences. The idea of moderation is also present in the print, represented by two ewers with their contents overflowing, usually a symbol of temperance, prudency and patience, on the upper sides of the print. Two breasted birds are on the upper part of the print, standing on the cornucopias, and a crab is on the bottom, directly under Astronomy.