Credit: Royal Society
    Image number: RS.22021

    Surveying instruments

    Date
    1613
    Creator
    Theodor Galle (1571 - 1633, Flemish) , Engraver
    After
    Peter Paul Rubens (1577 - 1640, Flemish) , Draughtsman
    Object type
    Library reference
    RCN 24525
    Material
    Technique
    Subject
    Physics
       > Optics
    Description
    Illustration from the title page of the second book of Opticorum libri sex (Six Books of Optics) by Flemish mathematician and physicist François d'Aguilon (1567-1617). The vignette, engraved after an original drawing by Peter Paul Rubens shows a variety of optical surveying instruments being used by a robed man and seven putti, male childlike angels.

    The man is shown measuring the height of the Colossus of Rhodes using a rudimentary surveying instrument mounted on a staff. Callipers, measuring tools and a sextant can be seen on the ground.

    François d'Aguilon (1567-1617), Flemish mathematician and physicist, was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.

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