ARTWORKS

An Astronomer

Ferdinand Bol (1616–1680)

The National Gallery, London

An Astronomer

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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The painting divides neatly down the middle. On the left side we have books and globes, then considered key repositories of knowledge. And on the right is the world of thought and reflection represented by the sitter, who adopts the classic thinker’s pose: hand on chin, eyes apparently unfocused, looking slightly upwards into the middle distance.

The original title of the painting isn’t recorded, but it is known as An Astronomer because the nearer of the two globes shows a celestial map of the stars and their constellations. Some art historians have suggested that it may be a self portrait, but the sitter does not resemble other images believed to be of Bol. More likely, it is an idealised depiction of an astronomer as a scientist and thinker – there are plenty of other examples in Dutch art around this time.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

An Astronomer

Date

1652

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 127 x W 135 cm

Accession number

NG679

Acquisition method

Presented by Miss E.A. Bennett, 1862

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Ferdinand Bol

1616–1680

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