Images

A design for a pendulum clock made by Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) in the last year of his life. Galileo never made a working model of the clock (although his son did in 1649). Illustration by Vincenzo Viviani. (Science Museum, London)

A watch mechanism using a balance spring. Made by Thomas Tompion (1639-1713). Such watches, of which this is one of the earliest surviving, greatly improved accuracy over pendulum clocks. Made between 1675 and 1679. (Science Museum, London)

A pocket watch made by the London clockmaker Thomas Tompion (1639-1713). Using a balance spring, such watches greatly improved accuracy over pendulum clocks. Made between 1675 and 1700. Made of silver, steel, and tortoiseshell. (Science Museum...

A detail of a table clock made by Thomas Tompion (1639-1713). Perhaps made for Anne, Queen of Great Britain (r. 1702-1714) around 1708. (Science Museum, London)

The Voice of the Great Spirit, oil on canvas by Joseph Henry Sharp, 1906. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D. C.

This is a portarit of Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504) and Ferdinand II of Aragon (1452-1516) with their young daughter Juana I of Castile (1479-1555). Unknown artist. 15th century.

Painting of Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504) and Ferdinand II of Aragon (1452-1516) entertaining their royal subjects. Unknown artist.

A portrait depicting Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Unknown artist. 15th century. Oil on canvas. Found in the Monasterio de las Agustinas de Madrigal de las Altas Torres in Spain.

An image of Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) seeking an audience with Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504) and Ferdinand II of Aragon (1452-1516). Painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1839. Oil on Canvas. Located in the Toledo Musuem of Art in Toledo...

Portrait of Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504). c. 1490. Oil on panel. Collection of the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, Spain.