Ursa Major — The Great Bear

This astronomical print depicts the constellation Ursa Major, visualizing the stars as a bear against a pale background. Stars are indicated by multi-pointed symbols and labeled with a combination of Greek letters and traditional Arabic-derived star names such as Dubhe, Merak, and Alioth. The figure is bounded by a dotted line representing the constellation's celestial borders.

This work represents the intersection of classical celestial mapping and the early modern transition toward scientific standardization of the night sky. It reflects the long-standing Western practice of anthropomorphizing and theriomorphizing star clusters, a tradition rooted in both Hellenistic mythology and the preservation of Arabic astronomical nomenclature.