Earth, heaven and hell
Date
1652
Creator
Robert Vaughan (1590, British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
16605
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 187mm
width (page): 133mm
height (print): 142mm
width (print): 101mm
width (page): 133mm
height (print): 142mm
width (print): 101mm
Subject
Description
God, wearing a diadem, looks down upon heaven, earth and hell; here represented via three different spheres.
Directly below the figure of God is heaven, illustrated by many angels looking upwards. Below heaven is earth, as symbolised by buildings and greenery, and below earth is hell, symbolised by flames and horned creatures. Mystic creatures fall from heaven and earth towards hell, and a thick floral border containing insects and birds lines the print.
Inscribed in ink: 'Vaughan Sculp'
Figure 6 from Elias Ashmole's Theatrum chemicum Britannicum: containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous English philospohers… , a compilation of alchemical literature selected and annotated by the author. This figure is presented alongside a religious poem, in which the author details how 'Fyrst God made both Angel and Heaven/Na alleso the World with planets seaven' [...]
Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) British astrologer and antiquary was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1661.
Directly below the figure of God is heaven, illustrated by many angels looking upwards. Below heaven is earth, as symbolised by buildings and greenery, and below earth is hell, symbolised by flames and horned creatures. Mystic creatures fall from heaven and earth towards hell, and a thick floral border containing insects and birds lines the print.
Inscribed in ink: 'Vaughan Sculp'
Figure 6 from Elias Ashmole's Theatrum chemicum Britannicum: containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous English philospohers… , a compilation of alchemical literature selected and annotated by the author. This figure is presented alongside a religious poem, in which the author details how 'Fyrst God made both Angel and Heaven/Na alleso the World with planets seaven' [...]
Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) British astrologer and antiquary was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1661.
Related fellows
Elias Ashmole (1617 - 1692, British) , Astrologer
Associated place