Ptolemy Cosmography

The famous geographic work by Claudius Ptolemy, known by the Latin name Cosmographia, was a groundbreaking work of the 2nd century. Lost for 1,000 years, it was first rediscovered during the time of the Italian Renaissance and frequently adapted. One of the most beautiful specimens of the Cosmographia by Claudius Ptolemy is stored today in the French National Library in Paris. It arose ca. 1490 in Naples at the behest of Andrea Matteo III Acquaviva and, totally in the spirit of the Renaissance, enchants with its wonderful charts and overwhelming pictorial adornment. Something special about it is its unusually small format for a geographical work. The Parisian Codex of the Ptolemy Cosmography offers the wonderful opportunity to get to know both the groundbreaking scientific findings of Ptolemy and the great art of the Italian Renaissance!

A Grandiose Discovery

Claudius Ptolemy (ca. 100–170) was a Greek Renaissance man, who occupied himself as a mathematician, geographer, astronomer, philosopher, as well as in other disciplines. His scientific findings were to a large extent groundbreaking and forward-looking. As the composer of numerous standard works, the famous star catalog Almagest among them, he remained influential for centuries thereafter. The fascination with his findings still delighted scholars in the 14th century as his famous Cosmographia was rediscovered. The term cosmography denoted a description of the Earth and the universe, encompassing the scientific findings of geography, geology, astronomy, and astrology in connection with all aspects of the medieval world view. Lost and forgotten since the 2nd century, this Lost and forgotten since the 2nd century, this Ptolemaic geography was translated into Latin by Jacopo Angelo in Italy during the Renaissance, extensively received, and manifested itself frequently in the art of illumination.

A Ducal Commissioner

Andrea Matteo III Acquaviva, the famous Duke of Atri, was the one who commissioned one of the most fascinating of these splendid editions of the Cosmographia at the end of the 15th century. Andrea Matteo III Acquaviva originated from one of the most influential noble families in the Kingdom of Naples. As a bibliophile and lover of books he was simultaneously inquisitive of and attached to fine art. He wanted an atlas that was easy to use because of its unusually small format of 26 x 14 cm. Yet this edition of the Cosmographia is more of a luxury object or a collector’s piece than a scientific tool because of its lavish decoration.

The Great Art of the Renaissance in Naples

Bernardo Silvano d'Eboli, an Italian geographer and humanist resident of Naples, was contracted as the artist by Acquaviva. By trusting in the ability of the artist from his home of Naples, he was not following the contemporary taste, which was characterized above all by Florence. Bernardo Silvano adorned the Cosmographia with overwhelming miniatures of the highest quality. The book contains, among others, a gorgeous personification of geography and a depiction of Ptolemy. Grandiose decorative frames surround the colorful miniatures designed with great attention to detail. The heraldry of the Acquaviva family is often incorporated into the ornamental adornment. Splendid golden initials round out the outward appearance.

Cartographical Artwork

The artistically exceptional section of the book can nonetheless be found at the end: the marvelous maps. Always double-paged and framed, the cartographic section of the Cosmographia contains a world map and 26 more of individual continents, regions, and lands. Three allegorical depictions of the three then-known continents accompany the maps. The splendor of this small format atlas also enchanted Francois I, the French King (1494–1547), in whose possession the Cosmographia finally came and through whom it is still counted among the great treasures of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France today.