IX-F. Scholarly Treatises
IX-13 Perseus
9th-10th century AD
Illustration in early medieval manuscript of Aratus. It shows the constellation Perseus. Perseus is running forward, holding the head of Medusa in his hand, its snakes wriggling out against the sky.
IX-14 Hercules
9th-10th century AD
Illustration in early medieval manuscript of Aratus. It shows the constellation Hercules.
IX-15 Andromeda
9th-10th century AD
Illustration in early medieval manuscript of Aratus. It shows the constellation Andromeda.
IX-16 Arabic translations and illustrations of Aratus
Arabic manuscript of Aratus, Hercules
ca. AD 1430-1440
Miniature in Arabic manuscript of Aratus: the constellation Hercules (Paris, cod. arab. 5036). The hero has been given a turban and a scimitar.
Arabic manuscript of Aratus, Perseus
ca. AD 1430-1440
Miniature in Arabic manuscript of Aratus: the constellation Perseus . The severed heard of the gorgon, Medusa, has been transformed into a bearded man's head.
IX-17 European Copies of Arabic Aratus Illustrations
European copy: Hercules (cf. IX-16)
Miniature from a European copy of an Arabic manuscript of Aratus (Vindobon. 5415, before 1464: German following Italian Seznec 185). The artist keeps the scimitar that the Arabic artists added, but removes the turban.
European copy: Perseus (cf. IX-16)
Medieval European manuscript copying Arabic manuscript of Aratus.
IX-18 Albrect Dürer and early Renaissance constellations
Hercules
Constellation Hercules drawn by Albrecht Dürer for his sky map of 1515. Dürer replaces the scimitar with a club, and restores the lionskin as an explanation for the outstretched left arm.
Perseus
Constellation Perseus as drawn by Albrecht Dürer at the beginning of the Renaissance: sky map 0f 1515. Dürer shows the head as Medusa, with snakes in her hair, and gives Perseus winged boots.
IX-19 11th century encyclopedia illustration
11th century illustration of Hrabanus Maurus's De Universo.
Left to Right: Vulcan, Pluto, Bacchus, Mercury
IX-20 Images of Venus, 15th century AD
Nude Venus presiding over a wedding union
