Estense World Map Facsimile Edition

This anonymous manuscript map, created in the mid-15th century, is a fascinating document that illustrates the transition from medieval to early modern cartography. It bridges the gap between medieval mappa mundi (world maps) and early modern portolan charts, known for their detailed coastlines, rhumb lines, and accurate representations. The map’s circular design is rich with graphic details, depicting the world's knowledge just before Columbus's voyages to the New World.

Known as the Catalan-Estense world map due to its alignment with the Catalan school of cartography, it includes both geographical information and mythical and religious elements, reflecting the coexistence of myth and reality typical of medieval and early modern geography.

A Richly Illustrated Mappa Mundi

The map, rich in illustrations, is oriented to the north and portrays a world encircled by an ocean, decorated with green wavy lines. Numerous cities, flags, banners, and coats of arms scatter across the map, indicating regional sovereignties. True to early modern nautical chart traditions, the coastlines are precisely depicted, replete with place names and rhumb lines.

Unlike the Mediterranean-focused, rectangular nautical charts of the time, this map encompasses the entire known world in a circular format, adhering to medieval traditions.

A Mythical Depiction of Africa

Africa’s depiction is particularly noteworthy, featuring cities, flags, topographical details, and numerous rulers. A prominent gulf extends from the west into the continent, nearly reaching the Indian Ocean.

Mythical traditions remain evident in Africa's portrayal. For instance, the map includes Prester John, a legendary Christian king, and a ruler with a dog's head in the south, referring to the mythical cynocephali described by classical and medieval writers. Curiously, at Africa’s eastern edge, a circular garden surrounded by fire is marked as the Terrestrial Paradise, an unusual placement that once more highlights the blend of mythical Christianity and real geography.

An Unknown History

The provenance and history of the Estense World Map remain largely unknown but its decorative elegance and precise details connect it to the Catalan-Majorcan school of cartography, a distinguished tradition in early modern mapmaking. Masterpieces like Abraham Cresques's Catalan Atlas (1375) emerged from this context, exemplifying exceptional artistry in 14th and 15th-century cartography.