Celestial Map of the Northern Sky with the Signs of the Zodiac (Imagines coeli septentrionalis)

Celestial Map of the Northern Sky with the Signs of the Zodiac (Imagines coeli septentrionalis) by Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528) is a landmark work of Renaissance scientific art, executed in 1515. This specific impression is a detailed woodcut in black on ivory laid paper. Produced in Germany, the piece is one of two monumental celestial charts created by Dürer in collaboration with the astronomer Johannes Stabius and the mathematician Konrad Heinfogel, demonstrating the period's merging of artistic talent and empirical science.

The work visually synthesizes classical Ptolemaic astronomy with the advanced printmaking techniques Dürer helped pioneer. The artist translated complex mathematical data regarding stellar positions into a visually accessible diagram. The woodcut medium allowed for the precise, clear lines necessary for depicting the constellations accurately, which are represented anthropomorphically according to ancient tradition. The central circular map charts the Northern Sky, defined by lines of latitude and longitude, and is framed by classical depictions of clouds and winds. The surrounding quadrants include explanatory text and tables, solidifying this print’s dual function as both a scientific tool and a masterful artistic image.

As a leading figure of the German Renaissance, Dürer's commitment to detailed observation and theoretical knowledge is evident in this piece. The chart reflects the sophisticated intellectual climate of Germany in the early 16th century, where advancements in cartography and astronomical measurement were paramount. Woodcuts like this, widely distributed as prints, ensured the broad dissemination of scientific knowledge. This pivotal piece, which has since entered the public domain, remains a key example of the master’s late graphic output and is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.