Observing Collection

The Return of the Prodigal Son, c1668. Artist: Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
The Return of the Prodigal Son, c1668

Cardinal Richelieu at the Siege of La Rochelle, 1628 (early 20th century). Armand Jean Duplessis, Duc de Richelieu (1585-1642), French prelate and statesman

Village green cricket, Tilford, Surrey, England, UK

Jay (Garrulus glandarius), two fighting in mid-air with another observing. Norway. October

Group of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), Kalahari Meerkat Project, Van Zylsrus, Northern Cape, South Africa, Africa

PSCI2A-00011
Isaac Newton using a prism to analyze the colors in a ray of light. Hand-colored engraving of a 19th-century illustration

Two Men Contemplating the Moon, ca. 1825-30. Creator: Caspar David Friedrich
Two Men Contemplating the Moon, ca. 1825-30

Observing the Universe, conceptual image
Observing the Universe, conceptual computer illustration

Halleys comet, 19th Century artwork. 1835 woodcut print depicting the 1835 appearance of Halleys comet. Halleys Comet is the only naked-eye comet certain to return within a human lifetime

Descartes optics theory, 17th century
Descartes optics theory, artwork. This is the eye diagram from Descartes book Optics (1637). Three external points are shown depicted on the retina at the back of the eye

Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) observing a lunar eclipse in Rome, Italy, in 1500. Copernicus was a Polish astronomer who studied in both Poland and Italy

William A. Doberck, Danish astronomer
William A. Doberck (1852-1941), Danish astronomer. Doberck became the first director of the Hong Kong Observatory from its foundation in 1883 until 1907

Windsurfing at Kahului Beach, Maui, Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands, Pacific Ocean, United States of America (U.S.A.), North America

Cheetah, (Acinonyx jubatus), Duesternbrook Private Game Reserve, Windhoek, Namibia

Polar Bear with cubs, (Ursus maritimus), Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Operating Table 1930S
A group of student nurses in theatre, observing a surgeon performing an operation

The astronomers waiting for the eclipse
The eclipse expedition in India to observe the total eclipse of the sun. Mr. Norman Lockyer is shown seated a little to the left beneath the umbrella

Perito Moreno Glacier, Parque Nacional de los Glaciares, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Patagonia, Argentina, South America

Three meerkats (suricates), Suricata suricatta, Addo National Park, South Africa, Africa

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Observed by Queen Catherine, 1870. Artist: Marcus Stone
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Observed by Queen Catherine, 1870. Painting by Marcus Stone (1840-1921), British history painter

Soldiers playing cards in the trenches, First World War, c1916, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
Soldiers playing cards in the trenches, First World War, c1916, (c1920). An Interval of Peace: British bomb-gun section enjoying a hand at cards while the sentries keep watch through the periscopes

PSCI2A-00073
Greek astronomer Hipparchus mapping the stars over Alexandria, ancient Egypt. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Polar Bear with a cub, (Ursus maritimus), Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Two Grizzly Bears

General Moltke and Kaiser Wilhelm II
The Chief of General Staff, General Helmuth von Moltke and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany observing the German troops in training. Date: 1914

Invention of the compass, Ancient China
Invention of the compass in Ancient China. These early compasses consisted of a magnetised needle floating in a bowl of water

Looking out from a game-viewing vehicle on a safari holiday

Young lady watching the couples dancing at a Grand Ball
Young lady smiles as she watches couples dancing at a Grand Ball from behind a large fan. Date: 1923

Amateur astronomy, computer artwork
Amateur astronomy. Computer artwork of a silhouetted amateur astronomer using a telescope to view the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a band of stars in the night sky that is a view of our own spiral

Hubble Space Telescope in orbit, artwork
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in orbit over the Earth, artwork. The HST is an astronomical satellite in orbit around Earth

Serval (Felis serval), Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, East Africa, Africa

Man preparing breakfast, watched by dogs and a cat, Medina, Venezuela, South America

Three old men watch the world go by on a street in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu valley, Nepal, Asia

Blue tit (Parus caerulus), emerging from nesthole, United Kingdom, Europe

John Wesley / Electrical
JOHN WESLEY English religious leader, founder of Methodism : always interested in science, he is depicted observing an electrical experiment

Subscribe to the Sixth War Loan, WWI German poster, 1914-18 (colour litho)
700921 Subscribe to the Sixth War Loan, WWI German poster, 1914-18 (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Military Pictures; German, out of copyright

Forecasting Weather
Forecasting the weather at the Air Ministry, Kew, London - observing a balloon to gauge windspeed levels. Date: early 1930s

Soviet satellite monitoring, 1958
Soviet satellite monitoring. Telescopes being used, in 1958, by Soviet astronomers, to monitor a satellite as it passes overhead

Artificial intelligence, conceptual artwork. Electronic circuitry is seen behind the eye

Cartoon impression of the Russo-Japanese War 1 of 5
Card 1 of 5 - Preliminaries. A cartoon interpretation of the Russo-Japanese war, acted out by the principal ruling individuals from the International Community

The Weighing Office at the Bank of England. Sovereign Weighi
Engraving of elaborate machinery used for weighing gold coins, to ensure that the coins weight is exactly right. Members of the public are observing the process

Portrait of an Indo Chinese Tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), Tiger sanctuary, Khao Pardap Chan, Thailand

Meerkat (suricate), Suricata suricatta, Addo National Park, South Africa, Africa

Young rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculas, Isle of May, Firth of Forth, Scotland

Trans-Siberian Express, Siberia, russia

View to the Royal Palace, Norwegian National Day (17th May) Oslo, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

Male leopard, Panthera pardus, in captivity, Namibia, Africa

Burchells zebra (Equus burchelli), Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, Africa

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Observing the World: From Art to Nature and Beyond" In Rembrandt's masterpiece, "The Return of the Prodigal Son, " we witness a poignant scene of redemption as a father observes his wayward son returning home. On the village green cricket field in Tilford, Surrey, England, UK, players engage in an intense match while spectators observe with bated breath. The spirit of competition fills the air. High above in Norway's skies, two jays engage in a fierce mid-air battle while another watches from afar. Even nature has its observers captivated by its beauty and drama. In the Kalahari Meerkat Project at Van Zylsrus, a group of meerkats huddle together attentively observing their surroundings. Their vigilant eyes ensure their survival in this harsh desert landscape. Caspar David Friedrich's painting "Two Men Contemplating the Moon" transports us to a serene moment where two individuals gaze up at the celestial body above. They ponder life's mysteries under its gentle glow. From conceptual images depicting humans observing our vast universe to 19th-century artwork showcasing Halley's Comet streaking through space - humanity has always sought answers beyond our earthly realm. Descartes' optics theory revolutionized how we understand light and vision during the 17th century. Through observation and experimentation, he paved the way for modern science and understanding. Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus challenged conventional wisdom with his heliocentric model of our solar system. His observations reshaped our perception of Earth's place among celestial bodies. Danish astronomer William A. Doberck dedicated his life to observing stars and mapping out their movements across galaxies. His meticulous work expanded our knowledge of distant cosmic phenomena. Amidst all these profound observations lies windsurfing at Kahului Beach - an exhilarating sport that combines skillful technique with keen observation of wind patterns and waves. It reminds us that observation can also be a source of joy and adventure.