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Queen Mary Atlas

Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)

England (United Kingdom) β€” 1555–1557

An opulent gift from Maria Tudor to her husband Philip II: 10 magnificent double-page maps by the virtuoso Portuguese cartographer Diogo Homem as a representation of the hegemony of the Spanish Empire

  1. A masterful gift from Queen Mary Tudor (1516–1558) to her husband Philip (1527–98), the future King of Spain

  2. The famous cartographer Diogo Homem (1521–76) created ten magnificent, double-page maps of Philip's empire

  3. This fabulous gift reflected Philip's tastes, who was a lover of cartography and a tremendous art patron

Queen Mary Atlas

Add. MS 5415 A British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
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Description
Queen Mary Atlas

The Queen Mary Atlas is a truly royal gift: the English Catholic Queen Mary I Tudor (1516–1558) commissioned the precious map work as a gift for her husband Philip II (1527–1598), who later became King of Spain. The 9 double-page maps allowed him, as a proven map lover, to envision his future world empire. The famous Portuguese cartographer Diego Homem (1521–1576) was responsible for this masterpiece of early modern cartography transferring the entire world known in Europe at the time in the most artistic way onto parchment. Particularly impressive are the maps of the just recently β€œdiscovered” New World, which bear witness to the findings of the many Portuguese expeditions in the 60 years following Columbus. The coastlines are characterized by astonishing accuracy and the atlas contains the earliest cartographic representation of Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy. With his large-format, splendidly colorful and gold-decorated maps, Homem undoubtedly created one of the most beautiful atlases in the history of books.

Queen Mary Atlas

This masterpiece of 16th century cartography arose as a gift from Queen Mary Tudor to her husband Philip, who would be King of Spain: one of the most beautiful atlases in the history of illumination! As a work of the famous Portuguese cartographer Diogo Homem the Queen Mary Atlas enchants with ten magnificent, double-page maps. These splendidly colorful, large-format depictions are gorgeously designed with numerous details. In this way, Philip II – a well-known lover of maps – was able to spectacularly visualize his great empire!

The Best Cartographer of His Time

A special treasure is stored under the shelf mark Add. MS 5415A in the British Library in London: the famous Queen Mary Atlas. Around the middle of the 16th century, Mary Tudor (1516–1558), daughter of the English King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, gave the commission for this splendid cartographic work to one of the greatest members of that fraternity: the Portuguese cartographer Diogo Homem (1521–1576). He was the founder of a famous dynasty of Portuguese cartographers. After being accused of murder, Diogo Homem had to flee Portugal, going first to England and later to Venice. There he would become famous for his maps – usually of the Mediterranean Sea. Diogo Homem is considered today to be one of the greatest cartographers of his time!

A Cartographic Masterpiece

Diogo Homem completed his royal commission in 1555. Ten double-sided maps and astronomical charts visualize the image of the world at the time of the Renaissance on 24 pages of parchment. In a large format of 78 x 56 cm, the atlas impresses with its high-quality design. Numerous illustrations adorn the geographic depictions, e.g. compass roses, tables, flags and coats of arms, but also figurative scenes like ships on the sea and mythic, historic, and country-specific figures and the like. Large and famous cities were presented in small vignettes, and were designed with gorgeous colors, various decorative frames round out the magnificent overall impression.

A Gift for a Royal Husband

The so-called Queen Mary Atlas counts among the most beautiful atlases in the history of illumination. Queen Mary of England commissioned the atlas at the time of her 1554 marriage to Philip, the successor to the Spanish throne, son of Charles V and eventually King Philip II of Spain. The work was intended as a fabulous gift to her husband Philip. Philip II had a great passion for maps. Thus it was assuredly a great joy for him to receive this particularly accomplished specimen, a gift from his wife that visualized his extensive empire!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Diogo Homem Atlas
Atlas de Diogo Homem
Size / Format
24 pages / 80.0 Γ— 58.0 cm
Date
1555–1557
Language
Latin
Script
Gothic Textura Quadrata
Illustrations
Richly decorated with compass roses, sailing ships, coats of arms, flags, cities, human and animal figures, and more
Content
Astronomical tables, 1 zonal map, 9 double-page maps: World map, South America, South Atlantic, North Atlantic, British Isles, Eastern Pacific, South East Asia, Indian Ocean, Western Mediterranean
Patron
Queen Mary I of England (1516–58)
Artist / School
Previous Owners
King Philip II of Spain (1527–98)
Available facsimile editions:
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
#1 Queen Mary Atlas
The Folio Society – London, 2005
Limited Edition: 1000 copies
Detail Picture

Queen Mary Atlas

Italy

The Italian peninsula is not only easily recognizable by its shape on the map of the Mediterranean. Several city illuminations adorn the land mass and testify to the importance of these urban centers of trade and power. Rome appears very prominently on its seven hills, distinguished by a flag with the papal coat of arms (two crossed keys and a tiara). Further north, probably Pisa is highlighted as one of the most important cities in Tuscany, which was under Medici rule at the time of creation, as indicated by the golden flag with its five red balls.

Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Single Page

Queen Mary Atlas

World Map

The world map of the Queen Mary Atlas represents the world as it was known in 1558, as stated in the surrounding frame inscription: β€œUniversalis mundi figura atque navigationum orbis terrarium scitus” – β€œDepiction of the whole world and the explored countries of the earth”. Australia and Antarctica are still completely missing, while large parts of the Americas have already been mapped. The large cartographic uncertainties in the northern regions of North America and Asia are also striking.

The few coats of arms depicted visualize the rough division of the world primarily between Spain and Portugal (red and gold coat of arms vs. blue shields with five dots on a silver field) – of course from a Spanish perspective. The inscription at the bottom right testifies to the completion of the map work in 1558 by Diego Homem, the year of Queen Elizabeth I's enthronement.

Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Queen Mary Atlas

The Folio Society – London, 2005
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Queen Mary Atlas – The Folio Society – Add. MS 5415 A – British Library (London, United Kingdom) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: The Folio Society – London, 2005
Limited Edition: 1000 copies
Binding: Full red calf with arms of England and Spain in black and gold
Commentary: 1 volume (98 pages) by Peter Barber
Language: English
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
Inquire current price here or ask a different question
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