Historical Scientific Illustrations

Vintage engravings depicting early experiments and observations in science, focusing on electricity, astronomy, and early scientific methods.

An initial letter depicting Ptolemy observing the sky and making measurements using a quadrant. Ptolemy (100-168) a Greek writer, mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet. Dated 16th Century

Guericke’s experiments on electric repulsion, vintage engraved illustration. From the Universe and Humanity, 1910.

Experiment to ascertain the effects of electricity on plants and animals. High voltage electricity generated by a glass globe static electric machine is carried by the chain to items suspended from silk cords in the centre of the picture. From 'Recherches sur les Causes Particulaires des Phenomenes Electriques' by Abbe Nollet (Paris, 1753). Engraving. .

Goldsmith workshop in the sixteenth century, vintage engraved illustration. Industrial encyclopedia E.-O. Lami - 1875.

Astronomer and Death, Hans Holbein (II), 1538 print An astronomer is studying at a table with an open book open for him. He looks up and points to an armillarium (atronomic instrument) that hangs above the table. Next to him is death with a skull in his skeletons. The upper margin with the Latin designation of the Bible text is missing here. paper dance of Death; Death together with one or more human beings. astronomy (and cosmography) (+ scholar, scientist (at work)). astronomical instruments

An initial letter depicting Ptolemy observing the sky and making measurements using a quadrant. Ptolemy (100-168) a Greek writer, mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet. Dated 16th Century

Blast furnaces, 1683. Artist: Unknown

Use of mathematics for surveying, navigation and astronomy, 1681.

Illumination depicting an Astronomer observing the sky and making measurements using a quadrant. Dated 16th century

Print at the top right labeled: fol. 52.

17th century chemists at work in their laboratory. After a work by Dutch illustrator and engraver Jan Luyken.

An alchemist's laboratory inhabited by monkeys: to the right they are shown calling at the poorhouse, destitute after their obsessive, fruitless experiments. Etching by P. van der Borcht, ca. 1580.

A sheet showing eye defects, apparatus and an examination. Engraving by Prévost, 1763, after L.-J. Goussier.

Print at the top right labeled: fol. 9.

Frontispiece of A New System of Mathematicks by Jonas Moore, 1681. Artist: Unknown

Genealogical tree of the earliest generations of descendants of Adam and Eve, through Cain (left fork) and Seth (right) ; Abel was killed before he could father any.

Lib. I. Tab. XXVI. Caspari Bauhini Basileensis Theatrvm anatomicum: novis figuris oeneis illustratum et in lucem emissum opera and sumptibus Theodori de Brÿ p. m. relicta viduæ and filiorum Ioannis Theodori and Ioannis Israelis de Brÿ, Bauhin, Caspar, 1560-1624, Brÿ, Johann Israel de, d. 1611, Brÿ, Johann Theodor de, 1561-1623, Engraving, 1605, plate 26 from book 1, dissection views of penis and scrotum.

Physical Experiments, Nicolaas van Frankendaal, 1759 print In a space, figures conduct physical experiments, equipped with numbers and letters. Two barometers hang on the wall. Print in the middle of it marked: Tom. II.7me Leçon. Pl. 5. Amsterdam paper etching experiment, test ~ science and technology. barometer

Physical experiments. Figures perform physical experiments in a room, with numbers and letters. Two barometers hang on the wall. PRENT In the mid top marked: Tom. II.7me Leçon. Pl. 5.

A surgeon performing a paracentesis on an obese man, whose swollen abdomen has a cannula inserted into it, and is subsequently releasing fluid into a basin. Pen drawing by Z.S. after an engraving, 1672.

Science in the Middle Ages by Anonymous painter, copper engraving, 1654, Private Collection

Initial letter depicting an astronomer observing the sky and making measurements using a quadrant. Dated 16th century

Tab. LII, Steph. Blancardi Anatomia reformata, sive, Concinna corporis humani dissectio, ad neotericorum mentem adornata, accedit ejusdem authoris De balsamatione nova methodus, à nemine antehac similiter descripta, Blankaart, Steven, 1650-1702, Engraving, 1695

Galvani experimented with static electricity to show the current stimulated nerves and muscles of frogs and other animals. Date: Circa 1780

M. Vitruvius per Iocundum solito castigatior factus cum figuris et tabula ut iam legi et intelligi possit. Author: Written by Marcus Pollio Vitruvius (Roman, active late 1st century B.C.). Dimensions: Overall: 12 5/16 x 8 9/16 x 15/16 in. (31.2 x 21.7 x 2.4 cm). Editor: Edited and Illustrated by Fra Giovanni Giocondo da Verona (Italian, Verona 1433-1515 Rome). Published in: Venice. Publisher: Published by Giovanni Taccuino (Italian, active 1492-1536). Date: 1511. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Seven of the Ores, historical account from Georgius Agricola, De re metallica libri XII, Berg- und Huettenwesen, Metallkunde, published 1556

Frontispiece of 'Ontledigen en Ondekkigen ... Brieven' by Anton van Leeuwenhoek. (The Hague, 1686). The figure in the middle right of the picture is making observations with a Leeuwenhoek microscope.

T. Bartholin, crus canis dextrum etc. Anhang

Nicolas Andry de Boisregard, Orthopedia, 1743

Copperplate engraving from 'Physica Sacra' by the Swiss scholar, Johann Jakob Scheuchzer (1672 - 1733). Scheuchzer believed that the Old Testament was a factual representation of human history and natural life. Physica Sacra is a mammoth publication. It's a compilation of art, science, and spirituality in which Scheuchzer uses the Bible as his reference point for describing the natural world and its processes. Physica Sacra is also known as the Kupfer-Bibel which translates to "Copper Bible." The sketches were done by Johann Melchior Fussli and a number of engravers worked on the compilation. Originally published in 1731, it features over 700 copper plate engravings

Woodcut engraving depicting the comet of 1596 (Brahe-Moestlin) seen in Augsburg, Germany. Dated 16th century

Humanist scientist with scientific instruments, Caspar Merian, after Hans Holbein (II), after Ambrosius Holbein, 1676 print paper etching science and technology. scholar, philosopher

Plate of 1531 illustrating the planet Saturn and those under its influence.

Typical method of alluvial lead mining. From Agricola 'De re metallica', Basel, 1556.

Conradi Gesneri medici Tigurini Historiae animalium liber IV, Francofurti, In Bibliopolio Andreae Cambieri, anno MDCIIII 1604. fishes, mollusks, prelinnean works, zoology, monsters, real, halloween, leviathan, page frights, An illustration depicts a detailed anatomical drawing of a fish, showcasing its dorsal, lateral, and ventral views. The fish is rendered with precise lines, highlighting its scales and fin structures. Surrounding the illustration is a block of written text in Latin, which describes various aspects of aquatic life, possibly discussing the classification, morphology, and characteristics of fish. The page is numbered 212 at the top, indicating its place in a larger work, likely focused on natural history or zoology. The overall composition emphasizes both the scientific illustration and the scholarly discourse surrounding aquatic species.

Tab. XLIX, Steph. Blancardi Anatomia reformata, sive, Concinna corporis humani dissectio, ad neotericorum mentem adornata, accedit ejusdem authoris De balsamatione nova methodus, à nemine antehac similiter descripta, Blankaart, Steven, 1650-1702, Engraving, 1695

Experiment to ascertain the effects of electricity on water. High voltage electricity generated by a glass globe static electric machine. The figure in the centre is standing on an insulating block and is timing the effects by watching the clock on the left. From 'Recherches sur les Causes Particulaires des Phenomenes Electriques' by Abbe Nollet (Paris, 1753). Engraving.

Engraving depicting the Great Comet of 1596. Dated 16th Century

The heart as a pumping machine, J.J. Scheuchzer

The Intaglio Printers 1642 Abraham Bosse French. The Intaglio Printers 348296

Plate from Luigi Galvani 'De Viribus Electricitatis', Bologna, 1791, showing electrostatic machine, Leyden jar, and various experiments conducted by Galvani to investigate behaviour of muscles stimulated by electricity. Engraving

T. Bartholin, Capsulae atrabilariae hom....

Instruments of Mathematical Precision for designing Objects in Perspective after a wood engraving by Albert Durer of 1530 From Science and Literature in The Middle Ages by Paul Lacroix published London 1878

The trades. The tailor. Facsimile after a drawing and engraving by Jost Amman in the 16th century. "Moeurs, usages et costumes au moyen-âge et à l'époque de la Renaissance", by Paul Lacroix. Paris, 1878.

Chemistry: multiple vessels for distillation, on a furnace. Woodcut after M. Augusti.

medicine anatomy male body copper engraving by J. Remmelin 18th century private collection,

Anatomical image X, Jan Luyken, Jan Claesz ten Hoorn, 1680 - 1688

Johan van Beverwijk: he converses with Apollo about medicinal plants, while surrounded by attributes of botany, anatomy and surgery. Line engraving by C. van Dalen the younger () after C. de Passe the younger (), 1656.

"Doctor Panurgus" curing the folly of his patients by purgative medicines and chemical cures. Line engraving attributed to Michael Droeshout, 16--.

Thoracic viscera, 16th Century

Astronomy: the astronomer Sidrophel, using a telescope, misidentifies a kite as a comet. Etching by W. Hogarth, ca. 1721.

Anatomical Figure VII, Jan Luyken, 1680 - 1688 print Print at the top right marked: fol. 180. Amsterdam paper etching anatomical models (usually series of five figures). biology

Foetus head brought lower down in the birth canal with forceps. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables, Charles Elliot, Edinburgh, 1780.

As astronomer at his desk, consulting his books : a celestial sphere hangs over his head, and he can see the stars themselves through his window Date: 16th century

The body of Earl Ferrers, displayed upright in his coffin at the Royal College of Surgeons. Engraving by Valois.

A woodcut engraving depicting the process of increasing the power of a candle by passing the light through a water-filled glass globe which acted as a condenser. Dated 17th century

16th cent. engraving. Different optical effects in Witelo's Optics Treatise. 1535.

Glass furnace in which both the raw materials are melted and the glass is remelted, historical account from Georgius Agricola, De re metallica libri XII, Berg- und Huettenwesen, Metallkunde, published 1556

The ring of stars known as the Milky Way. Date: 1681

Assay laboratory for gold and silver. 1) Furnace: 2) Sheet of iron onto which assays are poured: 3) Parting flask: 5) Assay by water displacement. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker 'Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt- und Berckwercksarten' originally published in Prague in 1574. Copperplate engraving.

Imperato's asbestos experiments. Woodcut, 1599.

Astrologers preparing a horoscope. From Robert Fludd Utriusque Cosmi..historia. Oppenheim, 1617-1619

Insects, plants and fruits around a Pronkerwt, Jacob Hoefnagel, After Joris Hoefnagel, 1693 - 1726 print Print from a series of 48 prints, divided into four separate parts of twelve prints each. Stated at the bottom right: part 3. At the top and bottom a text in Latin. print maker: Frankfurtpublisher: Neurenberg paper engraving flowers. insects: butterfly. insects. fruits: cherry. mushrooms

An experimental device for measuring the calorific changes in a growing plant ?. Engraving.

The element earth, sheet from the "Neuw Grottensken book". .

Anatomical drawing by Jehan Cousin ('le jeune,' or 'the younger') in Livre de pourtraiture. (Paris, 1608).

Print at the top right labeled: F. 28.

Johannes Scultetus, Armamentarium chirurgicum

Volcanic eruption, Arnold Houbraken, 1699 print Fleeing people, with baskets and with their cattle, for the erupted volcano the Etna. At the top left: Fol 38. Print used in the book: Toneel der Accidents by Lambert van den Bos with a total of twenty prints from Arnold Houbraken. publisher: Dordrechtpublisher: Rotterdam paper etching eruption (of volcano) Etna

Anatomical figure VI, Jan Luyken, Jan Claesz ten Hoorn, 1680 - 1688

Copernicus and five other astronomers with astronomical instruments. Engraving by J. Mulder after G. Hoet, 1692.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Italian astronomer and mathematician. Frontispiece of first edition of his Dialogo dei Massimi Sistemi Florence 1632. 3 figures, left to right, Aristotle, Ptolemy and Copernicus. Engraving by Della Bella

Engravings of techniques of blood transfusion from animal to man.

Determining elevation and position of a spire. From 'Geometriae practicae novae et auctae tractatus' By Daniel Schwenter; 1585-1636. Published posthumously in 1641.

Sectional view of the Earth, showing central fire and underground canals linked to oceans, 1665. From Mundus Subterraneous by Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680) German Jesuit scholar and polymat. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1888

T. Bartholin, uterus

Nouveau voyage aux isles de l'Amerique, A Paris, au palais, Chez Theodore le Gras, 1742, description and travel, natural history, pre-Linnean works, voyages and travels, West Indies, French, cocoa, The depiction showcases a cacao pod, highlighted for its distinct ribbed texture and elongated, curved shape, accompanied by a cross-section revealing the interior seeds. The text, likely in an early scientific or botanical context, states the size of the cacao pod in relation to its usual dimensions, emphasizing its significance in the study of cacao cultivation and usage. The detailed illustration presents both the exterior and interior characteristics, offering insight into the cacao's structure and importance in culinary and agricultural practices.

Wereldbollen in twee helften.Completely above the sun. Below you have a view of the globe in two halves. Completely under the globe between two clouds. At the top right numbered: 963. Legal under numbered: XIII.

An anatomical dissection by Realdus Colombus, attended by onlookers. Collotype after a woodcut, 1559.

The Natural Sciences in the Presence of Philosophy. After a wood engraving attributed to Holbein in German translation of Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius 1537 From Science and Literature in The Middle Ages by Paul Lacroix published London 1878

World bulbs in two halves, Anonymous, 1690 print All over the sun. Below that a view of the globe in two halves. Entirely below the globe between two clouds. Numbered at the top right: 963. Numbered at the bottom right: XIII. print maker: Netherlandspublisher: Amsterdam paper etching / engraving earth, world as celestial body

Plate 1 depicting lacquer making equipment, Trattato sopra la vernice detta comunemente cinese: in risposta data all'ill, ustrissimo. sig. abbate Sabastiano Gualtieri, Buonanni, Filippo, 1638-1725, Etching, 1731

Vignette depicting astronomers and various instruments including an astrolabe and an armillary sphere. Dated 17th Century

Anatomical drawing by Jehan Cousin ('le jeune,' or 'the younger') in Livre de pourtraiture. (Paris, 1608).

Two devils in a laboratory produce statutes with the help of a genie; showing the repressive nature of the government of France under Louis-Philippe, especially concerning the freedom of the press. Lithograph by E. Le Poittevin, 1831.

Illustration from 'Les oeuures díAmbroise Pare' 1585 by Ambroise Pare, 1510-1590 French surgeon and anatomist

Anatomical drawing of a female body by Adriaan van den Spiegel (1578-1625). Spiegel was a Flemish anatomist who was born in Brussels and practiced medicine in Padua. He is known as one of the greatest physicians associated with the city.

N. Venette "Generation de l'homme", 1696; figure

Using astrolabes to calculate the height of a steeple. From Peter Apian 'Cosmographia', Antwerp, 1539. Woodcut

Two men look carefully at the whistles caused by gas in a cooling barrel with water, Jan Luyken, 1688 print Print at the top right marked: F. 28. Amsterdam paper etching experiment, test ~ science and technology

An astronomer, probably supposed to be Ptolemy of Alexandria (active 150 AD) observing the Moon and stars using a quadrant. Woodcut from Del Misuarar by Silvio Belli (Venice, 1570).

An anatomical dissection being carried out by Andreas Vesalius, attended by a large group of observers. Woodcut, 1543.

Illustration for 'The Labor of Mars' by Allain Manesson Mallet. Floor plan for part of a fortress, fortress or reinforcement. Under this an army en route; In the foreground horses that have been carried out. In the top right of the number 52 (= the number of the page in the book to which the illustration is placed).

Heister, L., "A general system of surgery"

Anatomical drawing by Jehan Cousin ('le jeune,' or 'the younger') in Livre de pourtraiture. (Paris, 1608).

Collecting resin from an insense tree (referred to in text as Olibanum). Insense bearing trees were native to the Somali and Arabian coasts. From John Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum or the Theatre of Plants, London, 1640.

A Pyrotechnist or Firework-maker making a rocket. He is pulling the end of a rocket case very tightly so that it will take the explosive charge properly. From 'A Rich Cabinet, with Variety of Inventions' by John White (London, 1658).

Plate 10, Tratado instructivo, y práctico, sobre el arte de la tintura: reglas experimentadas y metódicas para tintar sedas, lanas, hilos de todas clases, y esparto en rama, Fernández, Luis, Engraving, 1778

Woodblock print depicting a Sungrazing comet. A Sungrazing comet is a comet that passes extremely close to the Sun at perihelion. Dated 16th Century

'First key of Basil Valentine illustrating the sulphur mercury theory for the early stges in the preparation of the Philospher's Stone. From '' Fr Basilii Valentini Benedictiner Ordens Chymische Schriften'', Leipzig, 1760'

Print at the top right labeled: fol: 216.

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