Pearls From Oysters
by Science Photo Library
Title
Pearls From Oysters
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Pearls from oysters. 17th-century artwork showing the origin of pearls from oysters. An oyster, opened to show the pearls within, is at lower right, with the Sun and rain over the sea in the background. Many theories were proposed to explain the formation of pearls. It was not until the early 20th century that it was fully understood that a pearl forms when an oyster secretes layers of nacre to surround an irritant. This artwork is the printer's device from the title page of 'Sphaera mundi' (1635) by Italian Jesuit mathematician and astronomer Giuseppe Biancani (1566-1624). The Latin motto (Gratia Dei Mecum) translates as 'The grace of God be with me'.
Uploaded
July 21st, 2016
Embed
Share
Similar Subjects
Similar Images
Comments (1)
Recently Viewed
