Polymath Collection

Aristotle with a Bust of Homer, 1653. Creator: Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
Aristotle with a Bust of Homer, 1653

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). Italian polymath. La Belle Fe
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). Italian polymath, painter, sculptor, architedt. Renaissance. La belle Ferronniere, 1490-95. Museum of Louvre. Paris. France

1835 Reverend William Whewell Portrait
The Reverend William Whewell, a lithographed sketch made by E.U. Fiddis 1835, printed by Sirel. Whewell was a polymath and leading light at Cambridge during Darwins time there

Galileo Galilei's sketch of what he called the triple nature of Saturn
5311878 Galileo Galilei's sketch of what he called the triple nature of Saturn; (add.info.: Galileo Galilei's sketch of what he called the triple nature of Saturn)

Diagram depicting Galileo's experiment to prove the existence of a vacuum
5310104 Diagram depicting Galileo's experiment to prove the existence of a vacuum; (add.info.: Diagram depicting Galileo's experiment to prove the existence of a vacuum)

Galileo Galilei's drawing of the distortion of lunar features close to the limb of the Moon
5310215 Galileo Galilei's drawing of the distortion of lunar features close to the limb of the Moon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Galileo Galilei's drawing of the distortion of lunar)

A comet as observed by Robert Hooke
5307360 A comet as observed by Robert Hooke.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a comet as observed by Robert Hooke. Robert Hooke (1635-1703) an English natural philosopher, architect

An engraving depicting details of Robert Hooke's hygrometer, an instrument used for measuring the amount of
5311628 An engraving depicting details of Robert Hooke's hygrometer, an instrument used for measuring the amount of humidity water vapour in the atmosphere, soil, or in confined spaces. 1

Mary Somerville
3585934 Mary Somerville; (add.info.: Portrait of Mary Somerville (1780-1872) a Scottish science writer and polymath. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Hildegard von Bingen's first scheme of the universe
3732387 Hildegard von Bingen's first scheme of the universe; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Hildegard von Bingen's first scheme of the universe)

Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, Italian Renaissance artist
5893206 Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, Italian Renaissance artist.; (add.info.: Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, Italian Renaissance artist and polymath, 1452-1519. Leonard de Vinci)

Patron's Gold Medal commemorating Mary Somerville struck in 1838
5308544 Patron's Gold Medal commemorating Mary Somerville struck in 1838; (add.info.: Patron's Gold Medal commemorating Mary Somerville struck in 1838)

A map of the garden of Eden
3480665 A map of the garden of Eden; (add.info.: Illustration showing a map of the garden of Eden, from Arca Noe, (building the ark), by Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680). Published Amsterdam 1675

Diagram depicting Galileo's experiment to measure the force of a ball
5310105 Diagram depicting Galileo's experiment to measure the force of a ball; (add.info.: Diagram depicting Galileo's experiment to measure the force of a ball rolled down an inclined plane)

An engraving depicting Robert Hooke's anemometer, a device used for measuring the speed of the wind
5311627 An engraving depicting Robert Hooke's anemometer, a device used for measuring the speed of the wind and is also a standard weather station instrument

An engraving depicting Charles Babbage's difference engine. Charles Babbage (1791-1871) an English polymath
5311323 An engraving depicting Charles Babbage's difference engine. Charles Babbage (1791-1871) an English polymath, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1866); Universal History Archive/UIG

Title page of the Latin edition of Galileo Dialogo by Galileo Galilei
5307334 Title page of the Latin edition of Galileo Dialogo by Galileo Galilei.; (add.info.: Title page of the Latin edition of Galileo Dialogo (Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems)

Galileo Galilei's drawing of the Moon at first quarter
5310030 Galileo Galilei's drawing of the Moon at first quarter; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Galileo Galilei's drawing of the Moon at first quarter)

The proportions of man from Arca Noe
3480664 The proportions of man from Arca Noe; (add.info.: Illustration showing the proportions of man from Arca Noe, (building the ark), by Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680). Published Amsterdam 1675

Benjamin Franklin, 1800
3507778 Benjamin Franklin, 1800; (add.info.: Benjamin Franklin (1705 - 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States

The Shudi Family Group
3586321 The Shudi Family Group; (add.info.: Painting titled The Shudi Family Group by Marcus Tuscher (1705-1751) a German-born Danish polymath, portrait painter, printmaker, architect

Robert Hooke's proposal for an aerial telegraph (engraving)
5616548 Robert Hooke's proposal for an aerial telegraph (engraving); (add.info.: Illustration depicting Robert Hooke's proposal for an aerial telegraph)

Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi
5310081 Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi; (add.info.: Woodblock engraving depicting Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (854-925 AD) a Persian polymath, physician, alchemist, philosopher

Galileo Galilei's method of measuring the height of lunar mountains
5310029 Galileo Galilei's method of measuring the height of lunar mountains; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Galileo Galilei's method of measuring the height of lunar mountains)

Signature of Benjamin Franklin
3078438 Signature of Benjamin Franklin; (add.info.: Signature of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a renowned polymath, author, printer

Early Paradise, from Arca Noe
3480671 Early Paradise, from Arca Noe; (add.info.: Early Paradise, from Arca Noe, (building the ark), by Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680). Published Amsterdam 1675

Benjamin Franklin, 1800
3507782 Benjamin Franklin, 1800; (add.info.: Benjamin Franklin (1705 - 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States

Sir Henry Thompson, 1st Baronet
3586093 Sir Henry Thompson, 1st Baronet; (add.info.: Photograph of Sir Henry Thompson, 1st Baronet (1820-1904) a British surgeon and polymath. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Lunar surface as observed by Robert Hooke in the region of the crater Hipparchus
5308546 Lunar surface as observed by Robert Hooke in the region of the crater Hipparchus; (add.info.: Lunar surface as observed by Robert Hooke in the region of the crater Hipparchus)

Galileo demonstrating his telescope
5311844 Galileo demonstrating his telescope; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Galileo demonstrating his telescope to the Doge and the Venetian Senators)

Galileo Galilei's observations of Jupiter and it's satellites
5310287 Galileo Galilei's observations of Jupiter and it's satellites; (add.info.: Galileo Galilei's observations of Jupiter and it's satellites)

Family tree of Adam to Abraham
3480674 Family tree of Adam to Abraham; (add.info.: Family tree of Adam to Abraham; from Arca Noe, (building the ark), by Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680). Published Amsterdam 1675

Different species, from Arca Noe
3480670 Different species, from Arca Noe; (add.info.: Different species, from Arca Noe, (building the ark), by Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680). Published Amsterdam 1675

Difference engine designed by Charles Babbage
3119153 Difference engine designed by Charles Babbage; (add.info.: Difference engine, an automatic mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial functions)

Photographic portrait of Adolf Bastian
3522039 Photographic portrait of Adolf Bastian; (add.info.: Photographic portrait of Adolf Bastian (1826-1905) a 19th-century polymath. Dated 19th Century); Universal History Archive/UIG

Front cover of sonatas for Harpischord by Johann Kuhnau
3118674 Front cover of sonatas for Harpischord by Johann Kuhnau; (add.info.: Front cover of sonatas for Harpischord by Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722) a German polymath, composer, novelist, translator

The path of a projectile shown as a circular arc
5311833 The path of a projectile shown as a circular arc; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the path of a projectile shown as a circular arc)

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, 1500s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, 1500s, (2023). Leonardo (1452-1519) was an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance - artist, inventor, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, 1500s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, 1500s, (2023). Leonardo (1452-1519) was an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance - artist, inventor, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, 1500s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, 1500s, (2023). Leonardo (1452-1519) was an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance - artist, inventor, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus, early 16th century, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus, early 16th century, (2023). Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish Renaissance polymath, active as a mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic canon

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus, early 16th century, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus, early 16th century, (2023). Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish Renaissance polymath, active as a mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic canon

AI Image - Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, 1770s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI Image - Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, 1770s, (2023). Franklin (1706-1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher

AI Image - Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, 1770s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI Image - Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, 1770s, (2023). Franklin (1706-1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher

T. T. Fortune, 1887. Creator: Unknown
T. T. Fortune, 1887. Timothy Thomas Fortune, African-American orator, civil rights leader, journalist, writer, editor, economist and publisher

T. Thomas Fortune, 1891. Creator: Unknown
T. Thomas Fortune, 1891. Timothy Thomas Fortune, African-American orator, civil rights leader, journalist, writer, editor, economist and publisher. From The Afro-American press and its editors

Dr Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1886. Creator: Unknown
Dr Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

Mr John Ruskin, 1886. Creator: Unknown
Mr John Ruskin, 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

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"Unveiling the Minds of Polymaths: A Glimpse into the Renaissance of Knowledge" In Rembrandt's masterpiece, "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer, " we witness the embodiment of a polymath. Aristotle, renowned philosopher and scientist, pays homage to Homer, the legendary poet. This painting captures the essence of intellectual versatility that defines a true polymath. Leonardo da Vinci, an epitome of brilliance during the Italian Renaissance, exemplifies this concept. From his iconic artwork like "La Belle Ferronnière" to his scientific inquiries into anatomy and engineering marvels like flying machines, Leonardo's multifaceted genius transcends boundaries. The Reverend William Whewell portrays another facet of polymathy in his portrait. As a theologian, scientist, and philosopher known for coining terms such as "scientist" itself, he symbolizes how diverse fields can intertwine harmoniously within one individual. Continuing our exploration into Leonardo's repertoire reveals "Virgin of T. " Herein lies evidence that even religious devotion did not hinder his pursuit of knowledge across various domains – from art to science – proving that true they are driven by insatiable curiosity. Lord Howard de Walden dons fencing attire in W. Howard Robinson's illustration while declaring himself as someone who fights for what he believes in. This portrayal highlights how physical prowess complements intellectual acumen in those who embody multiple talents. C. P Snow further substantiates this notion through his achievements as a physicist and novelist while serving as a civil servant. His ability to navigate different realms showcases how polymaths contribute uniquely to society through their versatile skill sets. Delving deeper into Leonardo's anatomical drawings reveals "The Muscles. " These meticulous studies demonstrate how understanding human physiology was just one aspect among countless others that fascinated him—a testament to his boundless intellect. Studying St. John the Baptist by Leonardo unravels yet another layer of his polymathic nature.