Voor- en achterzijde van een munt met portret van Giovanni Domenico Cassini en een galerij 1710 - 1738

This print, made by Antonio Luciani in the early 18th century, shows both sides of a commemorative medal. One side bears a portrait of Giovanni Domenico Cassini, the Italian-French astronomer and engineer. The other shows an architectural drawing of a gallery. Made in Italy at a time when scientific discovery was reshaping European thought, this image speaks to the cultural status of science. Cassini held posts in observatories both in Italy and France, entities sponsored by wealthy patrons and states. Astronomy was becoming a public endeavor. Luciani’s print disseminates Cassini’s image and promotes the important cultural institutions with which he was associated. For the historian, an image like this raises intriguing questions about the relationship between science and power in this period. Contemporary publications such as journals and books, along with archival records of scientific institutions, can shed light on the fascinating context surrounding this print.