Portrait of Dundee-born astronomer Williamina Fleming wins international recognition in America

A stunning portrait celebrating one of Dundee's greatest scientific pioneers has received international recognition in America!

Williamina Fleming, the Dundee-born astronomer whose discoveries helped transform humanity's understanding of the universe, is the subject of an award-winning illustration commissioned for Harvard University's historic astronomical collection.

Created by artist Sam Falconer, the colourful portrait has been named a Chosen Winner in American Illustration 45, received a Merit in the 3x3 Illustration Awards and been shortlisted for the Communication Arts Illustration Awards.

The artwork forms part of the Harvard Plate Stacks Collection, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of a woman who went from Dundee to becoming one of the most important figures in the history of astronomy.

From Dundee to the stars

Born in Dundee in 1857, Williamina Fleming went on to make some of the most remarkable astronomical discoveries of her time.

After emigrating to America, she began working at the Harvard College Observatory, where she became one of the pioneering women involved in examining and classifying thousands of stars.

Her work helped lay the foundations for modern stellar classification and contributed enormously to our understanding of the universe.

Among her most famous achievements was the discovery of the Horsehead Nebula in 1888, one of the most recognisable objects in the night sky.

She also identified numerous variable stars and helped advance the study of white dwarf stars.

It's an extraordinary story, particularly considering the barriers women faced in science during the nineteenth century.

And more than a century later, her achievements are continuing to inspire artists and scientists around the world.

An entire universe hidden inside one portrait

Sam Falconer's illustration is filled with references to Fleming's life and scientific discoveries.

The most striking feature is the top of her head, which opens to reveal a colourful universe of stars, planets and astronomical imagery.

Hidden throughout the design are references to the Horsehead Nebula, white dwarf stars, the binary star Beta Lyrae and Fleming's pioneering work in stellar classification.

The artwork also features three photographic glass plates, representing the historic astronomical records she used in her research.

But there's even more to discover when looking closely.

Her collar contains silhouettes of her female colleagues and Harvard astronomer Edward Pickering, alongside details inspired by the observatory's Computer Room, a stellar spectrum, pages from Fleming's notebooks and scientific graphs.

Every element helps tell the story of her extraordinary contribution to astronomy.

Dundee's legacy continues to shine

The portrait was created as part of Falconer's series celebrating influential scientists, with the artist also producing an illustration of pioneering astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin.

Both artworks have been acquired digitally for Harvard's Plate Stacks Collection.

For Dundee, it's another wonderful reminder of the city's remarkable contribution to science and discovery.

More than a century after her discoveries, Dundee's very own Williamina Fleming is still helping the world look towards the stars.

Artwork: Sam Falconer. Information and images: Harvard Plate Stacks Collection.