Tobias Conrad Lotter (1717-1777) (artist and engraver) Sphaera Armillaris / Instrumentum artificiale Orrery ab inventore appellatum [Armillary Sphere / Instrument Called Orrery by Its Inventor] Probably from Atlas Geographicus Augsburg, Germany: 1774 Hand-colored engraving 19.5 x 23 inches, plate mark 21.75 x 27.25 inches, overall $1,900 An armillary sphere and an orrery are shown side by side with descriptions in Latin below them describing the various parts and their significance. The text for the armillary sphere, for instance, explains that the zodiac is a large circular band between the two tropics, in which there are twelve signs, in the form of animal figures, whereby the twelve intervals of the sun’s movement are discerned. The text points out other features of the sphere, including the ecliptic, horizon, poles, tropics, and circular dial, and states that the polar circles are at a distance from the poles 23 degrees, 30 minutes, and 66 degrees 30 minutes from the equator. The text beneath the orrery explains that it shows the sun, Mercury, Venus, and the moon revolving around the earth and gives information regarding distances between planets. This print, bearing Lotter’s name, is typical of the bold engraving with rich Baroque motifs of the Seutter and Lotter firms. A companion print to this one was also produced (not shown here), showing a pair of globes, one terrestrial and one celestial. Product Description Continues Below
