A new exhibition arrives at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art this December. “Mapping the Heavens,” opening Dec. 14, 2024, explores the art and science of astronomy as it evolved in the Islamic lands and Europe. This free exhibition presents the advancement of astronomy as a multi-cultural, multi-faith dialogue between scholars and scientists, and displays the beauty and importance of the artifacts that communicated these advancements.

The exhibition begins in the 1200s, when books, instruments, and images made by scholars and artists of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian faiths contributed to the global exchange of astronomical knowledge. These artifacts and technologies, including printing, played a pivotal role in developing, preserving and sharing scientific knowledge throughout the Middle East, Europe and around the globe.

Originally conceived by Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellow Husnain Noorbhai (2019-2021), the exhibition is co-organized by the Linda Hall Library and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and supported by the Lilly Endowment grant as part of the museum’s World Religions Initiative. “Mapping the Heavens” features historic books from the Linda Hall Library’s collections and co-created book labels in collaboration with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. These rare books join paintings from the Nelson-Atkins collection and scientific instruments from the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and the Klein Collection from Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park, Kansas.

"Science, Art and History are intricately connected, and this exhibition is the perfect example of that intersection,” said Eric Dorfman, President of the Linda Hall Library. “Collaborating with the Nelson-Atkins team on this exhibition and more has allowed us to explore those connections on a deeper level to enhance our understanding of the world’s history and answer some of the most challenging questions from the past and present."

This upcoming exhibition marks yet another collaboration between the two Kansas City cultural organizations. Earlier this year, the two were awarded one of just five national grants from The National Endowment for the Humanities to study climate impact and resiliency options.

“Our understanding of the universe and our place in it today is based upon the careful observations and amazing discoveries of astronomers of the past,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins. “’Mapping the Heavens’ traces their work across centuries, as scholars from different faiths and cultures built upon each other's works, which is shared in beautifully written, printed and illustrated books.”

By the 1400s, the acceleration of printed media in different languages was a catalyst for sharing information and advancing science. On display in the exhibition is a first edition printing of Copernicus’s “De Revolutionibus,” in which the famous European astronomer uses Islamic science to present his heliocentric theory of the universe. 

"This exhibition is a wonderful reminder that books are not just ways to convey information, but physical artifacts and works of art in their own right,” said Jason W. Dean, Vice President for Collections and Public Services at the Linda Hall Library. “Working alongside our friends at the Nelson-Atkins, we’ve been able to explore these remarkable artifacts and their connections with additional pieces from both of our collections.”

The exhibition also features beautifully illustrated early modern books, demonstrating the transmission of knowledge among European, Muslim and Jewish scientists. Many of these books were created to sell to foreign audiences, telling the story of the economics of bookmaking.

“One of the most interesting discoveries during our research for ‘Mapping the Heavens’ is that the flow of knowledge in the Islamic lands and into Europe is not just a one-way street,” said Kimberly Masteller, South & Southeast Asian Art Curator. “The books, paintings and scientific instruments in the exhibition reveal a web of connections, as scientists cite each other and build upon each other's works, creating a kind of imagined community of scientists across time, place, and religion. It has been a joy to collaborate with our co-curators, Jason Dean and Finch Collins, at the Linda Hall Library. Working together, we present the advancement of astronomy in the pre-modern world through the study of art, books and the history of science.”

Visitors can learn about these innovations firsthand, with an astrolabe interactive station within the exhibition. Public programs related to “Mapping the Heavens” will be offered, with more information available on the website.

The exhibition will be at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art—4525 Oak St. in Kansas City, Missouri—from Dec. 14, 2024 through Jan. 11, 2026. The museum is open to the public Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About the Linda Hall Library 

Since 1946, the Linda Hall Library has been amassing collections that have powered investigation, innovation, exploration and inspiration. Today, the Library is a leading independent research library widely known for the breadth and depth of its collections across 82 languages, its role as an international destination for scholarship and research, its support of teachers of the STEM curricula, and the vast resources it provides to learners of all ages interested in scientific exploration and discovery. Learn more at lindahall.org. 

About the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America’s finest art museums. The museum opens its doors free of charge to people of all backgrounds.

The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access to its renowned collection of more than 42,000 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and Native American and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the museum is a key educational resource for the region.

For museum information, phone 816.751.1ART (1278) or visit nelson-atkins.org.