Apiarium: The Lincean Explorer

In 1623, Galileo’s supporter and friend, Cardinal Maffeo Barberini, a patron of the Academy of the Lynx, became Pope Urban VIII. Barberini’s election seemed to assure Galileo of support from the highest level in the Catholic Church. 

To honor Urban and cement their relationship, the Academy of the Lynx published several works featuring the Barberini family crest of three busy bees.