At the intersection of art, science, and mystery lies the Linder Gallery Interior, a 17th century painting depicting a gallery filled with scientific instruments, mathematical and cosmic diagrams, a variety of Flemish, Dutch, and Italian paintings, and a curious collection of other objects. Apparently, it represents the controversial ideas that came to a head in Galileo’s 1633 Inquisition Trial. Once owned by the Rothschilds and swiped by the Nazis, the painting is now in a private New York City collection. Fortunately for us, Michael John Gorman, curator of the Trinity College Dublin's Science Gallery, became obsessed with the artwork and created a Web site and book, titled "A Mysterious Masterpiece: The World of the Linder Gallery." From the site:
Who is the old man? What’s his relationship with the woman, who holds paintbrushes and a palette? What is the significance of the paintings on the walls? Are we looking at a real or imaginary collection of objects? What about the very carefully painted scientific instruments? What is the significance of the books on the green table? Why is there a drawing of the different possible systems of the universe in the centre of the painting with the intriguing Latin phrase “ALY ET ALIA VIDENT” – “Others see it yet otherwise”?After the jump, a video of Gorman giving a 5 minute Ignite talk about about the Linder Gallery Interior and his quest to understand it.
A Mysterious Masterpiece (Science Gallery)
"A Mysterious Masterpiece: The World of the Linder Gallery" (Amazon)
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This might be my favouritest post on BB in a loooooong time. Simply Awesome!!
I have to agree. The detail on that portrait within a portrait is amazing! I would love to spend a day or two examining this masterpiece.
Hey Boingboing readers/writers/admins,
What was that artist that you guys posted a while back who did paintings that were basically very complex cosmic diagrams? I recall them all having to do with various scientific theories, and being highly symmetrical and detailed. I've been trying to figure this out for some time now.
I suspect the artist would be a Boing Boing reader if he or she were alive now.
Amazing painting. I wish the speaker had provided more details. The painting is generally attributed to Jan Brueghel il Vecchio. I'd love to get a high res photo of it, so people could tag the various details. Unfortunately all I can find is protected pictures. The best one I've seen is: http://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/galileopalazzostrozzi/object/StudioOfJanBruegelTheElderLinderGalleryInteriorZoom.html
Also, almost all Italian sources say the central character is Galileo, not Kepler.
@Gruben, is it this?
No way! This painting belongs to my wife's uncle. It is absolutely astounding. Last I heard it was hanging at the MFA in Boston - if you have the chance to check it out, DO IT. The detail in the little paintings is mindblowing.
The secret of this painting, when decoded, reads: "If you can understand this message, you are too close."
Hi Thalia - I worked on the companion website for this painting. If you follow the second last link [A Mysterious Masterpiece (Science Gallery)] we've created a highres zoomable flash version of the painting with hotspots highlighting key elements of the painting. There's details of certain arts of the painting as well. Hope this helps!
@Thalia, yes as Irishstu says for high res details of the painting and more see http://www.mysteriousmasterpiece.com
@Cazart, yes the painting was hanging in the MFA in Boston for a short time, and then more recently in the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence for the big Galileo exhibition. It is not on public view right now unfortunately but we'll post any upcoming appearances on the site.
David,
Unfortunately no. Although in a similar vein as that guy, it was more handmade painting stuff than graphic design stuff. His stuff was also a bit more complex/detailed, with lots of text and diagrams and whatnot explaining these theories. Thanks anyways, though.
Hey, I just responded to your comment and forgot to reply to you. Just want to make sure you saw it. You can delete this if you like.