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Primary sourcePainting1624

Galileo Galilei, line engraving by Ottavio Leoni

Ottavio Leoni · 1624

A 1624 engraved portrait of Galileo by Ottavio Leoni, possibly based on a self-portrait, made during his lifetime.

This 1624 engraving, possibly based on a self-portrait, is a contemporary image of Galileo made during his lifetime.

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Oval-framed line engraving of an older bearded man in a large white collar and dark doublet, with a Latin inscription above reading Galileus Galileus Florentinus, and an artist credit below. Handwritten Italian caption on mount beneath.
Ottavio Leoni, Galileo Galilei, line engraving, 1624, possibly after a self-portrait. Wellcome Collection, United Kingdom.

About this source

What it is

This line engraving of Galileo Galilei was made in 1624 by Ottavio Leoni, possibly after a self-portrait. It shows an older bearded man in a large white collar and dark doublet, with a Latin inscription naming him. It is held by the Wellcome Collection in the United Kingdom.

Why it matters

Created in Galileo's own lifetime, this engraving is a rare contemporary image of him, made by an artist who may have worked from a self-portrait. It helps historians understand how Galileo was pictured by those who may have known him.

Look closer

  • What clues suggest this image might be based on a self-portrait?
  • Why would a handwritten caption be added to the mount beneath a print?
  • What does the formal pose and clothing tell us about how Galileo wanted to be seen?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Galileo Galilei on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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