Natural Philosophy Collection (#3)

Pythagoras and Egyptian priests
Pythagoras (c.580-c.490 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher, with Egyptian priests. Pythagoras is thought to have studied in Egypt for 21 years

Pythagoras, Ancient Greek philosopher
Pythagoras (c.580-c.490 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher. Pythagoras is most famous for the theorem, a mathematical proof concerning triangles, that is named after him

Death of Pliny the Elder, Roman naturalist
Death of Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), Roman naturalist and author, on the beach at Stabiae during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius

Pliny the Elder, Roman naturalist
Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), Roman naturalist and author, shown with some of the animals, minerals and plants described in his 37-volume encyclopedia Historia Naturalis

Hipparchus, Ancient Greek astronomer
Hipparchus (c.190-c.120 BC), Ancient Greek astronomer, with the armillary sphere he invented (lower right) and representations of the signs of the zodiac in the night sky

Galen lecturing on anatomy in Rome
Galen (c.129-200 AD), Ancient Greek physician and anatomist, lecturing on anatomy in Rome, in the Temple of Peace, using animal skeletons (right). Galen came to Rome in 162 AD

Dioscorides, Ancient Greek physician
Dioscorides sculpture by a pond. The Ancient Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides (c.40-c.90 AD) worked as a surgeon in the Roman army

The Seven Sages of Greece, 7th century BC
The Seven Sages of Greece. The traditions of Ancient Greece named seven philosophers and statesmen from the 7th and 6th centuries BC as the wisest of men

Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Athenian philospher and logician. He studied under Plato in Athens. In 342 BC he returned to Macedon where he was born and tutored Alexander The Great

Sylva Sylvarum title page, 1627
Sylva Sylvarum title page. This natural history book was written by the English philosopher and statesman Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626). It was published posthumously in London in 1627

Marguerite de la Sabliere, arts patron
Marguerite de la Sabliere (c.1636-1693), French arts patron. De la Sabliere was a friend and patron of artists, writers and scientists

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"Exploring the Cosmos: Unveiling Natural Philosophy through Celestial Mechanics and Medieval Artwork" In the realm of natural philosophy, a captivating journey awaits as we delve into the depths of knowledge. From ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato to groundbreaking thinkers like Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibnitz, this caption takes us on an enlightening voyage. Imagine gazing at medieval artwork adorned with celestial mechanics, where intricate depictions of planets and stars merge with artistic brilliance. These masterpieces offer glimpses into how our ancestors perceived the cosmos, blending scientific curiosity with artistic expression. Socrates, often depicted in caricatures, stands as a symbol of intellectual pursuit. His relentless questioning paved the way for critical thinking that still shapes our understanding today. Similarly, Plato's philosophical teachings continue to inspire generations as his caricature captures his profound wisdom. The 16th-century witnessed a revolution in astronomy when scholars dared to challenge conventional beliefs about our place in the universe. Pioneers such as Copernicus and Galileo shattered old notions by proposing heliocentrism – forever altering humanity's perception of its cosmic surroundings. Returning to Ancient Greece, Socrates emerges once again as an influential figure who questioned everything around him. His relentless pursuit of truth laid foundations for future philosophical inquiries that would shape natural philosophy for centuries to come. Enter Sir Isaac Newton – a towering genius whose discoveries revolutionized science itself. A portrait from 1830 immortalizes this brilliant mind who unraveled fundamental laws governing motion and gravity; his contributions remain indispensable even today. Gottfried Leibnitz joins Newton on this intellectual pedestal; both men made significant strides in mathematics and calculus during their lifetimes. Their portraits remind us that great minds can coexist while pushing boundaries within their respective fields. Shifting gears towards more recent history brings us face-to-face with Alexis Caswell - an eminent scholar from the 19th century whose work in astronomy and mathematics continues to inspire.