About This Object

Before the revolutionary, heliocentric or sun-centered ideas of Nicolaus Copernicus, the traditional geocentric or earth-centered universe was usually depicted by concentric circles.  In this popular German work on natural history, medicine, and science, Konrad von Megenberg depicted the universe in an unusual but effective manner.  The seven known planets are contained within straight horizontal bands that separate the Earth below from Heaven, populated by the saints, above.