Dorigny Saturn Planetarium

An elderly, bearded Saturn holds his iconic scythe while a winged angel leans over him, seemingly directing his movement through the heavens. A circular band representing the planetary sphere frames the figures and contains the astrological symbol for the sea-goat, Capricorn. This engraving reproduces one of the mosaic panels designed by Raphael for the dome of the Chigi Chapel, illustrating the divine order of the universe.

This work represents the Renaissance synthesis of Christian theology and classical astrology, where planetary deities are subordinates to divine will channeled through angelic movers. It visualizes the geocentric cosmological model described in Neoplatonic texts, where Saturn occupies the highest and slowest of the seven planetary spheres.