Nautical Atlases of Francesco Ghisolfo

Nautical Atlases of Francesco Ghisolfo

These five spectacular, detailed cartographic watercolors, originate from a commission of Francesco I de' Medici (1541–1587), Grand Duke of Tuscany from ca. 1550. It reflects the contemporary state of European geographical knowledge, depicting routes to the New World, the East, and the Mediterranean. Also included are an armillary sphere and a depiction of the universe according to the Ptolemaic model, with the globe surrounded by the spheres of the planets and the signs of the zodiac. All are the work of Francesco Ghisolfo, a pupil of the famous cartographer Battista Agnese (ca. 1500–64) in the employ of sovereigns across Europe and the Medici in this particular instance. He worked in a time when the Age of Exploration spurred popular interest in beautifully rendered maps. This was especially true of the powerful men of the day who equated ownership of such a map with the ability to conquer the territory depicted therein. Such maps were more decorative than practical, meant to be demonstrations of wealth and sophistication, but which possessed a great degree of detail as well. The precise cartographic depictions of this Genoese atlas are rendered in bright colors and are further adorned with gold leaf.