Constellatio XLVIII.

This remarkable engraving originates from Julius Schiller's ambitious celestial atlas, Coelum Stellatum Christianum. Published in 1627, Schiller's atlas sought to replace the traditional Greco-Roman mythological constellation figures with imagery rooted in Christian theology. His innovative approach divided the heavens into distinct religious themes: the twelve zodiac signs were substituted with the twelve apostles, while constellations in the Northern Hemisphere were reimagined with figures from the New Testament. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere featured characters and narratives from the Old Testament.

Schiller's work stood in stark contrast to the prevailing celestial maps of his time, which adhered to the classical traditions established by Ptolemy and popularized through the works of Tycho Brahe and Johann Bayer. Despite its artistic and intellectual creativity, Schiller's atlas failed to gain acceptance among his contemporaries. It was criticized for deviating from the established scientific and mythological frameworks and remains an intriguing, if marginal, chapter in the history of astronomy.

Today, Coelum Stellatum Christianum is celebrated more for its historical and artistic curiosity than for its influence on astronomical cartography. This engraved plate exemplifies Schiller's effort to merge religious devotion with scientific inquiry, offering a fascinating glimpse into the cultural intersections of faith and science during the early 17th century.