Kircher, pub. 1641 - Frontispiece with Magnetism Diagrams

Kircher, pub. 1641 - Frontispiece with Magnetism Diagrams
This scientific engraving is from Athanasius Kircher's Magnes Sive De Arte Magnetica Opus Tripartitum. This is from first edition published in Rome in 1641 by L. Grignani for H. Scheus.

The work was an excellent study of magnetism. Kircher explored various applications including time measurement, medicine, music, and love. It "contain[ed] the first use of the term 'elektro-magnetism'... (electromagnetics) (&) all that was known in his day on electricity and magnetism." (Merrill) It was a "large-scale work; deals with various magnetic-electronic questions, on gravity, compasses, etc., based on his own experiments with apparatus designed by Kircher himself." (Dunnhaupt 2330)

Athanasius Kircher (1601-1680) was a Jesuit priest and scholar. He gathered and helped disseminate knowledge from around the world gathered by Jesuit missionaries. It is believed he was the first to depict the Pacific Ring of Fire on a map. He was one of the final Renaissance men. He lowered himself into Vesuvius after an eruption, experimented with bioluminescence as a light source, and make the first known Aeolian harp. He wrote 44 books, over 2000 manuscripts, and assembled one of the first natural history collections. Kircher's work was itself fascinating for its thematic maps. His work was on the underground passages and subterranean networks of the globe. He created a map that was the first to show ocean currents.

Provenance: There was an episcopal coat of arms stamp and an old ownership mark for the Counts of Hatzfeld in Waldmanshofen


Paper Size: ~ 6 1/2" by 9"


Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving

The work is in very good to excellent condition. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.