The Astronomer, Vermeer

Haven't seen that painting before... thanks for sharing it Andy.

The chart behind the astronomer is rather curious, isn't it? It must be a planisphere, I suspect... but not of a design that I've seen before.

It must be a planisphere

Indeed. That's one of the theories in the website.
Also interesting is the fact that someone has managed to identify the book and [edit] the creator of the celestial globe.
This from Mr Wiki:

The astronomer's profession is shown by the celestial globe (version by Jodocus Hondius) and the book on the table, Metius's Institutiones Astronomicae Geographicae).[2][3][4] Symbolically, the volume is open to Book III, a section advising the astronomer to seek "inspiration from God" and the painting on the wall shows the finding of Moses—Moses may represent knowledge and science ("learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians").[6]

Don't miss the link below the painting re 'The Dutch Telescope'!

Now I feel a whole new subject of Astronomy in Art opening up, try this Rubens/Brueghel depiction of c.17 instrumentation!  https://astrologyandart.wordpress.com/tag/peter-paul-rubens/

Don’t miss the link below the painting re ‘The Dutch Telescope’!

Nice little article that. Reminds us that, of course, the telescope was first considered to be a military tool, before being used for more peaceful purposes. Not the first time that happened, and certainly not the last (V2 rockets, anyone?).

I'd recommend reading "The History of the Telescope" by Henry C. King. The use of glass and mirrors to magnify objects had been known about for centuries. Roger Bacon in the 13th century did some experimentation. But yes, it does seem that the telescope has its origins in Holland in 1608... though it appears that several people had the idea at the same time!!

Now I feel a whole new subject of Astronomy in Art opening up, try this Rubens/Brueghel depiction of c.17 instrumentation!

Thanks for sharing that, John. An amazingly detailed image, with a real three-dimensional feel.