Lunar Physics, Plate 3 – The Mare Crisium at New Moon – Charles Piazzi Smyth (1857)

Charles Piazzi Smyth’s The Mare Crisium at New Moon is a remarkable example of Victorian astronomical illustration, combining scientific observation with an almost painterly treatment of the lunar surface. The plate presents the rugged region surrounding Mare Crisium in extraordinary tonal detail, with craters, mountain ranges, and other lunar features carefully labeled against a network of selenographic coordinates. The warm sepia and cream tones give the Moon an unexpectedly tactile appearance, while the precision of the engraved grid emphasizes the image’s scientific purpose.

Published in 1857 as part of Smyth’s Astronomical Observations Made at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, the image records the appearance of Mare Crisium under the distinctive illumination of the young Moon. Smyth, who served as Astronomer Royal for Scotland, devoted considerable attention to lunar observation and produced detailed studies of the Moon as part of his work at Edinburgh. The plate was produced by the prominent London firm Day & Son, whose sophisticated lithographic techniques allowed astronomical observations to be reproduced with considerable tonal subtlety. The work is particularly interesting as a piece of early astronomical graphic art, created decades before lunar photography became capable of producing comparable scientific records.

 

🖨️ Print features:

– Made with museum-grade archival paper for excellent printing fidelity and vibrant color reproduction

– Paper weight: 189 g/m2

– For indoor use only

– Care instructions: If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.

– Please note: Due to the production process of these posters, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/16″

 

🚚 Fulfillment, Shipping, and Return Policy:

– Printed and shipped from the U.S.

– Ships in a sturdy mailing tube, frame not included

– As our items are unique and made to order, we can only accept a return or exchange in the event that an item arrives damaged or misprinted. We cannot accept returns if you order the wrong size or change your mind. Any return requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the order.

 

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