The astronomical drawings of Étienne Léopold Trouvelot

While faffing online, I discovered the fascinating works of Étienne Léopold Trouvelot.

This French astronomer and amateur entomologist (1827-1895) is particularly famous in the USA for bringing the Gypsy Moth into North America (I know, the level of faffing was quite high…!) but his astronomical drawings are truly remarkable. 

The illustrations may not be very accurate scientifically, but we can only praise his imagination as visually it works and we could easily believe this is directly from the 1950’s or even from one of our contemporary graphic designers. 

I share here few of his drawings, all found in the digital collection of the New York Public library. 

The planet Mars. Observed September 3, 1877, at 11h. 55m. P.M.

The planet Jupiter. Observed November 1, 1880, at 9h. 30m. P.M.

The great nebula in Orion. From a study made in the years 1875-76.

The zodical light. Observed February 20, 1876.

The November meteors. As observed between midnight and 5 o’clock A.M. on the night of November 13-14 1868

Total eclipse of the sun. Observed July 29, 1878, at Creston, Wyoming Territory.