Barometer

A man is presented in left profile, approaching a barometer mounted on a ledge, his right hand holding on to its stem. A scale has been inscribed on its stem. A building stands behind him, and the open sky is visible behind and to his right [as viewed].

Plate 7 from a German translation of Joachim d’Alence’s Tractatus de barometris ( Ludwig Bourgeat, Mainz, 1688), an early account of meteorological instruments including barometers, thermometers and hygrometers.

Joachim d’Alence (1640-1707) French astronomer and physician.