Museo Galileo
Portale Galileo
italiano
Myth > Galileo by Images

Galileo by Images

Galileo and the history of his work represent an exemplary cultural episode. Still today Galileo appears as a legendary figure, symbol of the modern intellectual, free from prejudice, hero of and martyr to libertas philosiphandi.
In this exceptional story, a significant role is played by Galileo's image, employed not only for the purposes of art, but even more as a means of conveying particular cultural and historiographic meanings. Starting in the 17th century, paintings, engravings and busts documenting the evolution of Galilean iconography encountered immediate success, remaining highly esteemed up to the dawn of the 20th century.