How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Folding fan, the sticks and guards elaborately carved and gilt with astrological motifs and hemispheres, the front guard set with a thermometer. The leaf is richly painted on the recto with an allegory of Astronomy. The central scene shows Urania, the Muse of Astronomy with attributes (a compass and armillary sphere). To her right sits the astronomer, Galileo Galilei (1564–1642), blinded by a beam of light – a reference, perhaps, to the myth that Galileo lost his sight due to observing the sun through telescopes. Other mythological figures include a winged Father Time (upper right, holding a scythe) and sun god, Apollo in his chariot. On the verso, a light-hearted take on the astrological theme depicts winged putti playing with scientific apparatus.

The Fan Museum

London

Title

Allegory of Science and Astronomy

Date

c.1780

Medium

tortoiseshell, gouache & watercolour on paper with sequins

Measurements

H 26 x W (?) cm

Accession number

HA1831

Acquisition method

purchased privately by the owner, Mrs H. E. Alexander

Work type

Watercolour

The Fan Museum

12 Crooms Hill, London, Greater London SE10 8ER England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

View venue

Artist or maker

unknown artist

View profile

Doves The Royal Oldham Hospital
Sir William Dugdale (1605–1686) Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Sir William Priestly, MD (Edin.), LLD, FRCP, FRCS (Edin.), Obstetric Physician (1863–1900) King's College Hospital
Man Wearing Toga* Chiswick House
Roundel with Griffin Crest English Heritage, Audley End House
Saint George and the Dragon* Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC)
Man Wearing Toga Chiswick House
34,818 more