North Pole calotte by Coronelli V.M. 1691
A rare and highly decorative polar map by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli, representing the Arctic regions as depicted on his celebrated 110-centimetre terrestrial globe.
This remarkable circular map depicts the North Polar regions in an unusual polar projection, extending from the North Pole to approximately 60 degrees north latitude. Originally designed as the northern polar cap of Coronelli's terrestrial globe, it was subsequently included as a separate engraving in his Atlante Veneto, published in Venice in 1691.
The map illustrates the geographical knowledge of the Arctic at the end of the seventeenth century, combining information derived from contemporary voyages of exploration with older geographical traditions and speculative coastlines.
The northern extremities of Europe, Asia and America are arranged around the circumference, including Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen and the northern coasts of Siberia and North America. Greenland is prominently represented, while the surrounding Arctic territories reflect the still considerable uncertainty about the far north's geography.
Particularly interesting are the extensive geographical annotations distributed across the map. These provide information on northern voyages, discoveries and geographical theories, illustrating Coronelli's ambition to combine cartographic representation with a comprehensive account of contemporary geographical knowledge.
The engraving is further distinguished by its elaborate pictorial decoration. Ships navigating the northern seas, figures engaged in hunting and other activities, mountainous landscapes and marine creatures enliven the otherwise austere polar geography. These illustrations are characteristic of Coronelli's richly ornamented cartographic style and reflect European perceptions of the remote Arctic world.
The numerous meridians converge at the North Pole, forming a striking radial composition. The large geographical inscriptions follow the curvature of the projection, emphasising the map's original function as a component of a terrestrial globe.
Coronelli's 110-centimetre globes rank among the finest achievements of seventeenth-century globe-making. Their engraved gores and polar caps were also published on flat sheets, allowing their geographical and decorative content to be appreciated independently of the globes themselves.
An impressive and uncommon example of Baroque polar cartography, combining scientific ambition, geographical exploration and the decorative elegance for which Coronelli's work is celebrated.
Vincenzo Coronelli (1650-1718)
Vincenzo Coronelli was born in Venice on 16 August 1650 and primarily brought up in Ravenna. He returned to Venice in 1665 and joined the convent of the Minor Conventuals. Five years later, he was sent to Rome to study, and by 1673, he was already a doctor of theology.
Having achieved fame by constructing two globes for the Duke of Parma, he was invited to Paris for three years in 1681 and made two enormous examples for Louis XIV. On his return to Venice, he assiduously collected cartographic material and founded the Academy of the Argonauts. In 1685, he was appointed Cosmographer to the Republic of Venice and authorised to publish a large atlas. He became a geography lecturer at the University of Venice and brought out an Atlante Veneto the following year.
In 1696, he visited Germany, Holland and southern England. During intervals in compiling his vast encyclopaedia, he continued with cartographic projects up to 1709. He died in his native Venice on 9 December 1718.
Coronelli became famous for his globes. In addition, he was a renowned encyclopaedist, mapmaker and geographer. Most of his maps and other material are gathered in his Atlante Veneto (13 vols, 1690-1705). The first volume, subtitled Descrizione generale istorica geografica, was his masterpiece, planned as an extension of Blaeu’s atlas.
Other volumes of the atlas which contain maps are Isolario, two parts (1696-8), with detailed maps and plans, mostly of islands; Corso geografico, two parts based on the edition 1694-7; Libro de’ globi (1697); and Lo Specchio del Mare, a reprint of Levanto's Lo Specchio del Mare Mediterraneo of 1664.
The other vital aspects of his mapping are those arising from the Venetian conquest and his travels. His most extensive military compilation was the Teatro della Guerra, in more than 30 volumes.
[No title]
Item Number: 33312 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > America > South America
North Pole calotte from a 110-centimetre globe, by Coronelli V.M.
[No title]
Date of the first edition: 1691.
Date of this map: 1691.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 370 x 370mm (14½ x 14½ inches).
Sheet size: 475 x 645mm (18¾ x 25½ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.
From: Atlante Veneto, nel quale si contiene la descrittione... degl' Imperii, Regni, Provincie, e Stati dell' Universo. Venice: Girolamo Albrizzi, 1691. Shirley (Brit.Lib.), T.CORO-7a
A rare and highly decorative polar map by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli, representing the Arctic regions as depicted on his celebrated 110-centimetre terrestrial globe.
This remarkable circular map depicts the North Polar regions in an unusual polar projection, extending from the North Pole to approximately 60 degrees north latitude. Originally designed as the northern polar cap of Coronelli's terrestrial globe, it was subsequently included as a separate engraving in his Atlante Veneto, published in Venice in 1691.
The map illustrates the geographical knowledge of the Arctic at the end of the seventeenth century, combining information derived from contemporary voyages of exploration with older geographical traditions and speculative coastlines.
The northern extremities of Europe, Asia and America are arranged around the circumference, including Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen and the northern coasts of Siberia and North America. Greenland is prominently represented, while the surrounding Arctic territories reflect the still considerable uncertainty about the far north's geography.
Particularly interesting are the extensive geographical annotations distributed across the map. These provide information on northern voyages, discoveries and geographical theories, illustrating Coronelli's ambition to combine cartographic representation with a comprehensive account of contemporary geographical knowledge.
The engraving is further distinguished by its elaborate pictorial decoration. Ships navigating the northern seas, figures engaged in hunting and other activities, mountainous landscapes and marine creatures enliven the otherwise austere polar geography. These illustrations are characteristic of Coronelli's richly ornamented cartographic style and reflect European perceptions of the remote Arctic world.
The numerous meridians converge at the North Pole, forming a striking radial composition. The large geographical inscriptions follow the curvature of the projection, emphasising the map's original function as a component of a terrestrial globe.
Coronelli's 110-centimetre globes rank among the finest achievements of seventeenth-century globe-making. Their engraved gores and polar caps were also published on flat sheets, allowing their geographical and decorative content to be appreciated independently of the globes themselves.
An impressive and uncommon example of Baroque polar cartography, combining scientific ambition, geographical exploration and the decorative elegance for which Coronelli's work is celebrated.
Vincenzo Coronelli (1650-1718)
Vincenzo Coronelli was born in Venice on 16 August 1650 and primarily brought up in Ravenna. He returned to Venice in 1665 and joined the convent of the Minor Conventuals. Five years later, he was sent to Rome to study, and by 1673, he was already a doctor of theology.
Having achieved fame by constructing two globes for the Duke of Parma, he was invited to Paris for three years in 1681 and made two enormous examples for Louis XIV. On his return to Venice, he assiduously collected cartographic material and founded the Academy of the Argonauts. In 1685, he was appointed Cosmographer to the Republic of Venice and authorised to publish a large atlas. He became a geography lecturer at the University of Venice and brought out an Atlante Veneto the following year.
In 1696, he visited Germany, Holland and southern England. During intervals in compiling his vast encyclopaedia, he continued with cartographic projects up to 1709. He died in his native Venice on 9 December 1718.
Coronelli became famous for his globes. In addition, he was a renowned encyclopaedist, mapmaker and geographer. Most of his maps and other material are gathered in his Atlante Veneto (13 vols, 1690-1705). The first volume, subtitled Descrizione generale istorica geografica, was his masterpiece, planned as an extension of Blaeu’s atlas.
Other volumes of the atlas which contain maps are Isolario, two parts (1696-8), with detailed maps and plans, mostly of islands; Corso geografico, two parts based on the edition 1694-7; Libro de’ globi (1697); and Lo Specchio del Mare, a reprint of Levanto's Lo Specchio del Mare Mediterraneo of 1664.
The other vital aspects of his mapping are those arising from the Venetian conquest and his travels. His most extensive military compilation was the Teatro della Guerra, in more than 30 volumes.