Special Collections has recently acquired a rare item in the Historic Astronomy Collection. Beschreibung des im Anfang des Jahrs 1744 Erschienen Cometen (or Account of the Recent Comet Beginning in the Year 1744) , by Gottfried Heinsius, describes one of the most beautiful comets of the 18th century. Heinsius observed the comet early in the year, and his account proved essential both for his contemporaries and for generations of later astronomers. The most notable feature of the item, however, is the exquisite mezzotint (shown here), tipped into the volume to illustrate Heinsius' notes. As a printmaking technique, mezzotint was highly valued because of the velvety shades of of gray it was capable of producing; here, this tonal potential has been strikingly matched with the subject matter to great dramatic effect. Produced at the height of the mezzotint's "golden age" in the mid-eighteenth century, this plate is a fine example of a fascinating printmaking technique. The volume and accompanying plate can be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room.
June 20, 2008
Comet in Mezzotint, 1744
Special Collections has recently acquired a rare item in the Historic Astronomy Collection. Beschreibung des im Anfang des Jahrs 1744 Erschienen Cometen (or Account of the Recent Comet Beginning in the Year 1744) , by Gottfried Heinsius, describes one of the most beautiful comets of the 18th century. Heinsius observed the comet early in the year, and his account proved essential both for his contemporaries and for generations of later astronomers. The most notable feature of the item, however, is the exquisite mezzotint (shown here), tipped into the volume to illustrate Heinsius' notes. As a printmaking technique, mezzotint was highly valued because of the velvety shades of of gray it was capable of producing; here, this tonal potential has been strikingly matched with the subject matter to great dramatic effect. Produced at the height of the mezzotint's "golden age" in the mid-eighteenth century, this plate is a fine example of a fascinating printmaking technique. The volume and accompanying plate can be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room.
