Sterrenbeeld tweelingen before 1887

This photogravure of the Gemini constellation was created by the Henry Frères, two brothers who were French astronomers and instrument makers in the late 19th century. During this period, the scientific community was deeply engaged in mapping the stars, and photography was becoming an essential tool for documenting and understanding the cosmos. Consider the cultural context of the time, when looking at this image. The late 1800s was an era marked by significant scientific advancements and a growing fascination with the natural world, as discoveries about our planet's place in the universe invited new ways of thinking about ourselves. What might it have meant for the Frères brothers to capture and share such an image? By making the stars more visible, this piece evokes a sense of wonder and the human desire to understand our place in the cosmos. It invites us to feel a sense of connection to the stars, and the vastness of the universe.