What is the earliest depiction of a telescope in a painting?

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In summary, the telescope is a device that was first created in the Netherlands in 1608. It became more developed in the next few decades, with the first reflecting telescopes being built in 1668. The telescope has been used for many purposes, including studying the heavens and observing objects on Earth.
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wolram
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http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0908/0908.2696v1.pdf

Abstract. Several early spyglasses are depicted in five paintings by Jan Brueghel the Elder
completed between 1608 and 1625, as he was court painter of Archduke Albert VII of
Habsburg. An optical tube that appears in the Extensive Landscape with View of the Castle
of Mariemont, dated 1608-1612, represents the first painting of a telescope whatsoever. We
collected some documents showing that Albert VII obtained spyglasses very early directly
from Lipperhey or Sacharias Janssen. Thus the painting likely reproduces one of the first
man-made telescopes ever. Two other instruments appear in two Allegories of Sight made
in the years 1617 and 1618. These are sophisticated instruments and the structure suggests
that they may be keplerian, but this is about two decades ahead this mounting was in use.

From Wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telescope

The earliest evidence of working telescopes were the refracting telescopes that appeared in the Netherlands in 1608. Their development is credited to three individuals: Hans Lippershey and Zacharias Janssen, who were spectacle makers in Middelburg, and Jacob Metius of Alkmaar.[4] Galileo greatly improved upon these designs the following year.

The idea that a mirror could be used as an objective instead of a lens was being investigated soon after the invention of the refracting telescope.[5] The potential advantages of using parabolic mirrors, primarily reduction of spherical aberration with no chromatic aberration, led to many proposed designs and several attempts to build reflecting telescopes.[6] In 1668, Isaac Newton built the first practical reflecting telescope that bears his name, the Newtonian reflector.
 
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  • #2
A little unrelated, but possibly interesting is the Hockney-Falco thesis, with other considerations about optics historically.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockney–Falco_thesis

More relatedly, John Dee and Thomas Digges referred to perspective glasses.

'In 1554 a group of Oxonians invited John Dee of St. John's College, Cambridge, to come and lecture in Oxford. He refused, but his pupil Thomas Digges of Queens' College, Cambridge, came instead. He was the first English author to describe the theodolite and he edited the works of his father, Leonard Digges (University College, Oxford), who was the first maker of efficient telescopes.'

http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about/history
 
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  • #4
Nice. I'd thought there was something more interesting than what I had posted, but couldn't think of it.
 
  • #5
Yes I'd always learned is twas the Dutch around 1600 - but it's difficult to play around with lenses (like alhazen) and not discover the telescope!
 
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  • #6
Wow! I love telescopes. Wolram thanks for starting this topic with some great information, and mjb.phd brovo for providing one of my all time favorite links. Fuzzyfelt, enjoyed reading what you provided.

I've been reviewing a great website this past week, thinking about buying an antique telescope. (Love to collect antiques.:smile:) Take a peak at a few of them and browse by scrolling down on the right of the website "The Developmental History of the Telescope" from the On-Line Museum and Encyclopedia of Vision Aids.
http://www.antiquespectacles.com/telescopes/telescopes.htm
 

FAQ: What is the earliest depiction of a telescope in a painting?

Who is credited with making the first telescope?

The first telescope was made by Dutch eyeglass maker Hans Lippershey in 1608. However, there are claims that the invention was also independently made by other individuals around the same time, such as Italian scientist Galileo Galilei.

How did the first telescope work?

The first telescope was a simple refracting telescope consisting of two convex lenses. The objective lens gathered light from distant objects and focused it, while the eyepiece lens magnified the image for the viewer to see.

What was the purpose of the first telescope?

The first telescope was originally designed for use in the military, as it allowed for distant objects to be viewed more clearly. However, it quickly became a tool for astronomers to observe the night sky and make significant discoveries about the universe.

What improvements have been made to the original design of the first telescope?

Since its invention, the original design of the telescope has been improved upon in many ways. For example, the addition of a third lens, known as a field lens, allows for a wider field of view. Reflecting telescopes, which use mirrors instead of lenses, have also been developed and are commonly used today.

How has the telescope shaped our understanding of the universe?

The telescope has played a crucial role in expanding our knowledge of the universe. With the help of telescopes, scientists have been able to observe and study objects in space that were previously unknown or inaccessible. This has led to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in many fields, including astronomy, physics, and cosmology.

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