Hispaniae Nova Delineatio

Enrique Cock (ca. 1540–1598) was a Dutch humanist who traveled throughout the Iberian Peninsula beginning in 1574
Two editions were published in 1581 and 1583 by Georgius Flemalia (active 1580–1591), a printer in Salamanca
It identifies various populations for the first time, which would not be incorporated into another map for two centuries

Hispaniae Nova Delineatio

MV/3/15 Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)

Description

Hispaniae Nova Delineatio

After traveling throughout the Iberian Peninsula beginning in 1574, the Dutchman Enrique Cock (ca. 1540–1598) created a splendid map that was not only the oldest to be printed in Spain, but contained various cartographic innovations and detailed information that would not be matched by other maps for centuries. Everything from important geographic features to boundaries lines established by the Romans to various populations are detailed in the map.

Hispaniae Nova Delineatio

The Dutch humanist Enrique Cock (ca. 1540–1598) created a splendid map of the Iberian Peninsula, likely the oldest to be printed in Spain, the full name of which is Hispaniae Nova Delineatio cum Antiquis et Recentioribus Nominibus. Cock travelled extensively beginning in 1574, allowing for him to create a map of incredible detail, especially with respect to rivers, mountains, and other topographical features. Two editions were published in 1581 and 1583 by Georgius Flemalia (active 1580–1591), a printer in Salamanca, of which only two specimens survive. The map was first discovered at the Hessischen Landesbibliotheck in Darmstadt. The second one was bound into an atlas in the National Library of Spain. Both belong to the 1583 edition. Aside from its beauty and rarity, the map has a wealth of information. Modern Spanish and ancient Latin place names appear side-by-side. Old Roman administrative divisions are demarcated by dotted lines. Smaller cities are represented by circles, larger ones by clumps of buildings; bishoprics are indicated with a cross, archbishoprics are indicated with a double-arm cross. The various kingdoms making up Spain are represented by their respective coats of arms, while the author’s personal escutcheon appears in the lower-left corner with the motto Homo ut flos, a compass, and scale. The lower-right corner features a large poster with architectural motifs and an extensive explanation of the map and its contents, as well as details of its publication. Finally, it identifies various populations for the first time, something which would not be incorporated into another map for two centuries.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Hispaniae Nova Delineatio cum Antiquis et Recentioribus Nominibus, 1581
Henricus Coquus Gorcomius Batavus Hispaniae Studioso
Type: Map on paper
Size / Format: 1 map / 36.5 × 48.0 cm
Origin: Spain
Date: 1581
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Renaissance
Genre: Geography / Cartography / Navigation
Language: Latin
Illustrations: Ornate cartouche with an inscription and four depictions of different sailing ships illustrating the large bodies of water
Content: Map of the Iberian Peninsula
Artist / School: Enrique Cock (cartographer)
Georgius Flemalia (printer)

Available facsimile editions:

Detail Picture

Hispaniae Nova Delineatio

Vettones

The Vettones, Latin: “Vectones,” are one of the many Iberian ethnic groups that Enrique Cock included on his detailed map. They inhabited the western central region of the Iberian Peninsula since the Iron Age and likely maintained close ties with Celtic and Celtiberian groups such as the Lusitanians. Although the ethnic group was first Romanized and then integrated into the medieval kingdoms over the centuries, traces of their culture remain clearly visible to this day. The Vettones not only built mighty stone hilltop fortresses such as the Castro de Ulaca, whose ruins Cock may also have known, but also the “Toros de Guisando”—massive bull sculptures carved from granite dating from the 5th to the 3rd century B.C.

Single Page

Hispaniae Nova Delineatio

Artistic Precision

This exquisite copperplate engraving depicts the entire Iberian Peninsula and parts of the surrounding land and water masses. With its detailed and multi-layered labeling and wealth of visualized topographical information, the map almost resembles a “horror vacui” art work at first glance. The dedication to the readers, accompanied by a brief explanation of the map’s content, in the ornate cartouche at the bottom right provides some initial clarity.

Upon closer inspection, the density of information and its nuanced integration into the cartographic representation are impressive. The many different names of places, ethnic groups, and political entities are categorized using different font sizes. Additionally, Latin terms appear in capital letters, while the vernacular names of settlements are printed in italics.