Eclipse Of The Sun By The Earth, As It Would Appear As Seen From The Moon by James Nasmyth, 1874

James Nasmyth's "Plate XXII Aspect Of An Eclipse Of The Sun By The Earth, As It Would Appear As Seen From The Moon" is a captivating antique colour lithograph originally published in 1874. This artwork offers a unique astronomical perspective, imaginatively depicting an eclipse of the sun by the Earth as viewed from the lunar surface. Nasmyth's meticulous craftsmanship combines science, art, and innovative photographic techniques, resulting in a dramatic and visually arresting image that continues to fascinate both astronomers and art enthusiasts alike.

This fine art print by The Unique Maps Co. is meticulously reproduced from Nasmyth's original lithograph, available on your choice of acid-free archival paper or artist's premium cotton canvas. Each print is carefully crafted to preserve the intricate details and rich tonal contrasts characteristic of Nasmyth's pioneering photographic approach. Customization options include a variety of sizes, framing choices, and personalized details, allowing you to tailor this remarkable piece of astronomical history to your unique space.

James Nasmyth (1808–1890) was an extraordinary figure whose career spanned engineering, manufacturing, and astronomy. Best known for inventing the steam hammer, he later turned his inventive spirit to the stars, building his own powerful 20-inch reflector telescope and developing the Nasmyth focus—an innovation still influential in modern telescopic design. His dedication and ingenuity bridged the gap between art and science, creating a lasting legacy in astronomical imaging.

This particular lithograph is notable for Nasmyth's groundbreaking method of lunar surface depiction. Due to the technical limitations of photography in the 19th century, Nasmyth ingeniously sculpted detailed plaster models of the moon based on his telescope observations, subsequently photographing these models using the Woodburytype process. This painstaking method involved producing a relief mold in lead from the photographic negative, resulting in prints of extraordinary clarity, devoid of grain, and richly nuanced in tone and texture. At the time, this innovative technique lent an air of photographic authenticity that convinced Nasmyth’s contemporaries of the scientific accuracy of his lunar theories.

The artwork's striking visual effect is further enhanced by its dramatic composition and subtle yet deep tonal range. The image masterfully conveys the eerie beauty and stark grandeur of the lunar surface, rendered in shades of deep charcoal, muted earth tones, and subtle highlights. The Earth, eclipsing the sun, appears as a darkened sphere surrounded by a radiant halo of sunlight, evoking awe and curiosity in equal measure. Owning this print connects you directly with the pioneering spirit of 19th-century astronomy, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the era's ambitious scientific imagination.

This evocative print also carries profound historical and personal significance, having belonged to Anne E. Nasmyth, James Nasmyth’s wife and an accomplished botanical illustrator. Anne gifted the original volume containing this lithograph to Sir James and Lady Henrietta Baird as a remembrance of her late husband, adding a touching human dimension to this remarkable scientific artwork.

A print of James Nasmyth’s "Aspect Of An Eclipse Of The Sun By The Earth" makes an exceptional gift for anyone fascinated by astronomy, science, history, or art. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, retirement, housewarming, Father's Day, Mother's Day, or Christmas, this thoughtful and historically resonant artwork is sure to inspire wonder and admiration for generations to come.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.