A detailed black and white engraving depicts an ornate, Baroque style oval frame holding a cracked glass lens. The frame features intricate carvings of scrolls, floral patterns, and cherubs. At the very top of the frame, a small circular crest held by two cherubs contains the text: The Medicean Stars original: "Medicea Sidera," the name Galileo gave to the moons of Jupiter to honor his patrons, the Medici family. Directly beneath this is a sunburst design with concentric rings inscribed with: Great offspring of Jupiter original: "Soboles magnum Iovis incrementum" and Illustrious birth of the gods original: "Clara deum natum". The central cracked lens is held by metal clips. It is surrounded by an inner oval frame containing short phrases that, when read together, mean: Here he revealed the spots of the Sun and the stars of Jupiter, previously unseen original: "Hic et maculas Phoebi et Iovis astra retexit invisa". At the base of the frame, an elaborate scroll features a four line inscription: The heavens opened to the lynx-like mind of Galileo. With this tiny mass of glass, he shows stars not yet seen. Rightly called Medicean by their discoverer. Indeed, the wise man rules even the stars.

GALILEO'S BROKEN LENS.