Title: Ptolemy and Urania
Artist: Anawanitia
Medium: Oil
Size: 18 inches by 24 inches
Support: Stretched Canvas

This picture was adapted from an inspirational small stamp woodcut illustration that is in many old world texts books about astronomy. It was originally from Johann de Scarobusco’s Textus de Sphaera that was printed in 1531 by Simon Colins, in Paris. It illustrates the conflicting beliefs between astrology, which is represented by Urania, and astronomy, which is represented by Ptolemy. I felt that this needed to be painted. While I had updated many elements to bring it into this century, such as adding color, I stayed true to the original artist’s idea. It took years to paint this, as it I felt it had many key elements that needed to be as accurate as possible. I painted it to the best of my abilities at the time, and feel it is a true work of art.