Johannes Kepler 1571-1630

Johannes Kepler (27 December 1571 – 15 November 1630) was a German mathematician, astronomer and astrologer, and key figure in the 17th century scientific revolution.

The picture is based on an oil painting now housed at the Thomasstift, a Protestant college in Strasbourg: Kepler, however, did not particularly like this portrait. He gave it to his friend Matthias Bernegger, a professor at the University of Strasbourg. Bernegger donated it to the university library in 1627, as documented by the Latin inscription on the portrait.

This Strasbourg original was loaned to Stuttgart in 1910 and copied by the painter August Köhler, who ‘improved’ it by adding various details (a celestial globe, a drawing compass). A duplicate was later made of Köhler’s copy, which was presented to Prof. Walter von Dyck, an honorary citizen of Weiler, in recognition of his services to the establishment of the Deutsches Museum. Following his death in 1934, his widow donated this painting to the Kepler Museum.

[Image Description: A 17th-century oil portrait depicting Johannes Kepler beside a large globe used for geographical or astronomical study. Kepler is shown wearing dark formal clothing with an intricate white lace ruff collar. One hand rests on the globe while the other is positioned at the waist, suggesting a scholarly pose. In front of the globe, rolled charts or manuscripts are arranged on a table draped in red fabric. The background features dark wood-toned colours, a green curtain, and a Latin inscription identifying the subject. The contrast between the dark clothing and the illuminated face, collar, and scientific instruments draws attention to Kepler’s role as a scientist and scholar.]