The Astronomer

The Astronomer is sitting at his desk, holding a pair of compasses in his right hand, his left hand on a globe which can be identified as the celestial globe by Jodocus Hondius. The globe is also featured in Johannes Vermeer's Astronomer, The Louvre, Paris. The composition is comparable with Jan Verkolje's Portrait in the Rijksmuseum of the Dutch scientist Anthonie van Leeuwenhoek, who has been suggested as the sitter in Vermeer's painting as well.