Theatrum orbis terrarum

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Fair

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 19/3/2023

Description: Abraham Ortelius, a pioneering mapmaker, published the first comprehensive collection of uniformly sized maps. Titled Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World), this groundbreaking work first released in 1570, established the concept of the modern atlas. Ortelius personally drafted the maps, which were engraved by artisans such as Frans Hogenberg, whose contributions he acknowledged in the Atlass preface. Hogenberg likely collaborated with Ambrosius and Ferdinand Arsenius in engraving the plates.nThe Theatrum was initially published in Latin in May 1570 (View Record (#252) for the 1584 edition), followed later that year by Dutch and French editions, broadening its accessibility across Europe. Its immediate success led to numerous reprints in various languages, regularly updated with the latest geographical knowledge. After 1601, when the publication rights were transferred to Jan Baptist Vrients, new maps, produced by Vrients were added. This title page is from Vrients Latin edition published in 1603. nThe title page features a classical columned structure framing the title, surrounded by allegorical representations of the four parts of the worldEurope, Asia, Africa, and Americawith a bust symbolising a speculative fifth continent, Magellanica. Ortelius included a poem by Adolf van Meetkerke, titled Frontispicio explicatio, in the preliminary pages of the atlas. The poem explains the attributes of the figures and their relative positions. nAt the top, Europe sits as a queen on a magnificent throne adorned with vines and grapes. She holds a sceptre in her right hand and a rudder in her left, symbolising her control over the globe, while her head is crowned. Meetkerke notes that Europes elevated position reflects its historical dominance over the Old World and its newfound authority over the New World following Spains discoveries.nTo Europes right stands Asia, portrayed resplendent with jewels and holding a censer filled with incense, symbolizing the wealth and opulence Europeans associated with the continent. To Europes left is Africa and opposite Asia stands Africa. Her head is surrounded by sunbeams, reflecting the continents hot climate. She holds a twig of balsam in her right hand a reference to the region's aromatic products. In contrast to Asia, Africas simpler attributes may symbolise European perceptions of Africas lower level of civilization and their limited understanding of its interior.nBeneath the other four parts of the world reclines America, portrayed as naked except for a feathered headpiece, a jewel on her forehead, and bells on her calves. Her attributes a bow and arrows, a club, a decapitated head, and a hammockemphasize her "otherness" and reflect European stereotypes of the time, including cannibalism. Americas lowly position opposite Europe highlights her perceived inferiority in the European worldview.nOpposite America, Ortelius added a speculative fifth continent, Magellanica, represented as a female bust. She is depicted as a truncated female bust, symbolizing the limited knowledge of this region. She is named after The Iberian Magellan who was said to have fallen in love with her. nOn the verso of the titlepage is a detailed rendering of the Spanish Hapsburg coat of arms underscoring Spains influence during this period.

First published: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Antwerp: Gielis Coppens van Diest, 1570

Image Size (cm): 23×42

Mapmaker: Ortelius, Abraham (1527-1598)

Price: 2700

Primary Category: Titlepage

Purchase Reference: Ledger

Rarity: R1 Extremely rare – occasionally seen on the market

References: Karrow, Mapmakers of the Sixteenth Century and Their Maps, 9nOn the poem, its transcription and translation into English, see Werner Waterschoot, The Title Page of Orteliuss Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Quarendo 9 (1979): 4368.

Sheet size (cm): 30×47.5

Shirley ID #: 9 Courtiers and Cannibals

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1603