Inga Elmqvist Söderlund

Stockholm university/ Observatoriemuseet

Abstract

Inspiration from antique heroic deeds: Hercules as an astronomer

The myth of the hero Hercules is mainly known through his great deeds of physical strength. Variants of the myth also talk of him as an astronomer. This paper explores the deeds of the learned and intellectual Hercules, through visual arts and related texts, in relation to astronomy and as exemplary behaviour in the early modern period.

Biographical Details

Inga Elmqvist Söderlund has been Curator at the Observatory museum in Stockholm since 1996.  At present she is completing her PhD thesis, Taking possession of astronomy: frontispieces and illustrated titlepages within books on astronomy during the 17th century; at the Department of the history of art at Stockholm University.