Astronomical Images : Tail of the comet of 1577 with allegorical depiction of disasters in Belgium

Cornelius Gemma

Astronomical Images

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Cornelius Gemma (1535-78), son of Gemma Frisius, was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Louvain. In his <i>De prodigiosa specie, natureque cometae</i>, Gemma discussed the course, features, and significance of the comet of 1577, which he had observed. Gemma concluded that the comet must be above the lunar region, and therefore a special (the 'noblest') kind of comet that was also a divine sign. Gemma described the comet's head as pointing to Spain while the curved tail was directed at Italy. It soon developed a second branch of the tail, and the head gaped open with three large rays in the direction of Italy, the Herculean coast and the westerly regions. The comet is pictured at the top, with a personification of Belgium (<i>Belgica</i>) seated and weeping in front of ruins and fire. The goddess of fate, Heimarmene, points to the comet. Gemma understood the comet to have been sent by God to heal the 'sickness' - war and strife - afflicting the whole of Europe. Gemma wanted this image to be at the beginning of the book, so the printer, Christopher Plantin, had it made to the size of the page of the book, which was priced at 1½ stuivers.</p>