The Astronomer. 18th century watercolour painting based on the original painting by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). Vermeer's painting was a pair with another painting called The Geographer. They both depicted the scientific revolution that was taking place in 17th-century Europe. Newton and Huygens were among those advancing astronomical knowledge at this time. It is thought that van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) is the person used as the model for this painting. It shows an astronomer with a book, reaching towards an accurately rendered celestial globe, made by Jodocus Hondius in 1600. An astrolabe is below the globe. The painting at upper right is The Finding of Moses, symbolizing this age of discovery. Painted in 1794 by Abraham Delfos.