The rest of the insription is illegible on this low definition image. The french title and the general style may indicate a french engraving after the Renaissance. The hat and costume might be 17th century, may be 16th century. They could be compared with the ones depicted by Hondius in 1630. The hat and beard also resembles the one illutrated by Doppelmayer in 1742. But the engraving could well be of a later date judging by its style and general caracter. This iconographic trend seems to have been very popular as attested by this ??? portrait besides.

Le reste de l'inscription est illisible sur cette image à faible définition. Toutefois le titre français et le style général semble référer à une gravure française post Renaissance. Le chapeau et le costume pourraient être du XVIIe siècle, peut-être du XVIe. Ils se comparent à ceux dépeints par Hondius en 1630. Le chapeau et la barbe ressemblent aussi à la représentation de Doppelmayer en 1742. Mais la gravure pourrait bien être ultérieure. Peut-être du XIXe siècle si on en juge par le style et le caractère général. Cette icographie semble avoir été très populaire si on en juge par ce portrait ??? reproduit ci-contre.

Collaboration from Eileen MEILLON Our portrait (Stewart Museum, Montreal) of Ptolemy 1978.139.1 is almost identical to the one on your site and not identified as to artist, etc. but attributed to France. In our copy Ptolemy is facing to the left, rather than the right, and he is framed in an arch with text "Cl. Ptolomaeus Alexandrinus Mathematicus". At the top of the print is p. 310 XLVII. There appears to be a signature on the lower right, but I am looking only at the contact print so cannot be sure. I will have to look at the original to give the exact details. The size is indicated as 14.8 cm x 10.5 and the medium is copper engraving. There are no further details included in the cataloguing. When I have looked at the original, I will get back to you with the exact details.

Collaboration from Philip J. Davis I have forwarded your request to the publisher of "The Mathematical Experience" who supplied the engraving of Ptolemy. My publisher has no recollection. Nor do I. I suspect that the engraving came from some commercial or scientific archive. (May 2000)