Tabulae Rudolphinae

The Rudolphine tables of Johann Kepler (1571-1630) surpassed all previous astronomical tables. They were based on Copernicus' heliocentric theory, refined by Kepler's laws of planetary motion. The frontispiece of the tables allegorically depicts the historical development of astronomy (in the central part), the creation of the tables (in the pedestal) and Kepler's discoveries (by the muses on the roof of the temple).