Ortelius in the Holy Land
Abraham Ortelius (Ortel) was born in Antwerp. The Ortel family originally came from Augsberg, Germany in 1535. The family was suspected of practicing Protestantism, and after his father’s death he was taken to England to avoid the inquisition. He and his family moved back to Antwerp in 1547 and he trained as a map engraver. He then was able to enter the Guild of St. Luke as a map illuminator and he began engraving large maps. A Dutch merchant seaman asked him to solve the problem of large bulky roles of maps that were cumbersome when piloting a ship. Ortelius then created smaller equal size maps, bound them together into a book, and published his landmark first modern atlas: “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum” with 53 maps. He did not create the maps and listed all the authors in the Atlas. The engravers were Franz Hogenberg and others, and printed by The Plantin Press in Antwerp. While not the first publisher to create an atlas, Ortelius received the credit. By 1572 there were also Dutch, French, and German editions. He became extremely successful, producing approximately 860,000 maps, free standing and in atlases. His “Wanderings of Abraham" map was the progenitor of Dutch Decorative Cartography in the 17th century.
This portrait by Phillip Galle in 1579 depicts Ortelius in an ermine vest, a sign of great wealth. The legend under the portrait states “Ortelius gave mankind an image of the world to see, Galle gave the world the image of Ortelius.” In 1579, Ortelius, who also created historical maps, created an historical atlas called Parergon. It was a supplement for which he drew and engraved the maps himself.
Ortelius was the first person, after studying the contours of the eastern Americas and western Europe and Africa to correctly suggest that they separated due to continental drift.
References:
1. Abraham Ortelius Wikipedia
2. van den Broecke, Marcel “Ortelius Atlas Maps” ISBN 90 6194 308 6
3. Broecke,Krogt&Meurer edit.“Abraham Ortelius and the First Atlas” ISBN 906194388u4
4. Binding, Paul, ‘Imagined Corners” ISBN 0747230404
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries:
THEATRUM ORBIS TERRARUM frontispiece. Translation of title: Theater of the world.
This beautiful decorated majestic picture appropriately prepares the reader for the contents in the atlas. Every figure has meaning. The female on the top, crowned and in her throne, is the empress of the world representing Europe with a septre in her right hand and a rudder in her left hand steering the world. The cross on the orb represents her Christian faith. The spheres represent the universe and the world. The woman directly below the universe sphere represents Asia and the women below the world represents Africa. The reclining figure on the foot "is believed to be the first allegorical representation of that continent." The severed head may suggest cannibalism, and the bust may represent Terra Incognita “virgin land” The fire below her suggests Magellan’s recording the fires as he rounded South America.
The translation of the bottom two lines states: "So now you can travel safely through all regions, between unknown tribes, through remote cities, rivers, and mountains, valleys and seas everywhere. Tour voyages will take you through the huge orbit of the world and all that it contains.” The exact designer and engraver is unknown.
Reference:
1. van den Broecke,Krogt & Meurer Edit. “Abraham Ortelius and the First Atlas” ISBN 90 6194 388 4
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from Leonard and Juliet Rothman Collection
Ortelius used the Greek word Parergon to mean “Supplement”.
TRANSLATIONS:
* Greek on top of the Plate: “Foolishness in the Eyes of God” (The meaning or implication of this statement is unknown).
* Central plate: “Dear Reader, after our description of the world, you have here the following maps I have designed for the benefit of those interested in old history, sacred and profane. I had decided to publish these in a separate book because they did not seem to be relevant to the maps in our “Theater” where I intended to show only present day locations. However, I gave in to my friends’ demands and have put them here as a Paragon. Greetings and be well disposed to our efforts.”
* Bottom: "Geography in the eyes of history”
At the top central is a serpent in front of books, flanked by primeval figures, one with a trident and the other with a rudder. Just below them are land clouds and winds. Similar to the Theatrum’s frontispiece, the central plate is flanked by a Sphere of the universe held up by a male figure and the world held up by a female figure.
From 1579 until 1595 a previous frontispiece was used. This woodblock print replaced the first frontispiece when the Parergon became a separate atlas with 49 maps in 1595. Five of these historical maps, Peregrinationis Diivi Paul…., Abraham Patriarchae Peregrinatio…,Typus Chorigraphicus , Geographia Sacra, and Senographia are in this presentation.These maps are also in various editions of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum atlases Ortelius drew and engraved the maps of the Parergon himself. These atlases were issued in two editions of 300 each.
Reference:
Van den Broecke, Krogt and Meurer , Edit. “Abraham Ortelius and the First Atlas ISBN# 9061943884
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/dg325jp3937
Translation in legend lower right: "New representation of Palestine or all of the Promised Land by Tilemann Stella from Siena with privilege.” Cartouche upper left is from Deuteronomy 8:7: “For the lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with rivers, streams and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and Honey. There is no lack of food…”
The plate size is 13.25x18 in, with North on the top, drawn to scale of 1:1,500,000, engraved on copper by Franz Hogenburg. First issued in Ortilius’1570 first atlas THEATRUM ORBIS TERRARUM. This map is the 5th of 7 states. It has 3 ships in the sea. There were 7 known states varying by the number of ships and sea monsters. The decorative frames and scroll work is typical of Ortelius’ maps and the light pastel coloring is typical of Antwerp colorists. The map stretches from Phoenicia to the Nile Delta and from the Mediterranean Sea to and including Syria and Arabia. It also traces the route of the Israelites through the desert and the location of their 42 stops. This is one of the 2 keystone maps that were the basis of 17th century Holy Land Cartography. All 7 totaled approximately 6650 copies. The Dead Sea is incorrectly sickle shaped and should be straight north south. Map occurs only in the 1570 Theatrum and thereafter.
References:
1. Cartographica Neerlandica.com
2.Maps of the Holy Land Nebenzahl ISBN 0-89659-658-4
3.van den Broecke ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460907
First published in 1584. Title in the Legend: "After Peter Lachsteen and Christian Schrott." The upper right ornate frame reveals vignettes of the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Sodom is noted to be on the edge of the Dead Sea. The upper right legend is perfectly balanced by a rendition of Jonah and the whale in the lower left of the map. The map is oriented with East on top. This map stretches from Galilee and terminates not at the end of the Dead Sea but at the beginning of the Lisan Peninsula. The land also extends from the Mediterranean Sea to Syria and Jordan. This East on top map is also a keystone for orienting Holy Land maps, that formed the basis of 17th century Holy Land Cartography. Approximately 4425 copies were made. Usual Antwerp light pastel coloring. Plate size 35x50 cm. Scale 1:1,500,000. First printed in 1579, this map is the 1624 edition. The total number printed was approximately 5425. This map occurs only in the Theatrum.
References:
1. Nebenzahl Maps of the Holy Land 1986 ISBN 0-89659-658-3
2. Cartographica Neerlandica.com
3. Van den Broecke ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460905
Translation of title: ”A chorographical map of the famous places in the kingdom of Judea and Israel, made with skill by Tillemann Stella of Siena.” Translation of cartouche in bottom right: “With an imperial and Belgian privilege for 10 years edited in this modest form, in 1586 by Abraham Ortelius.” Both the legend and the cartouche have Ortelius’ decorative frames and ornamentation. Oriented with North on the top. Stretches from the Nile Delta to Phoenicia and east to Syria and Arabia. The Mediterranean Sea, on middle left, contains for the first time a keystone list of symbols on a map; the translation of the list, from top down, is: 1)Significant metropolises and cities, 2) less significant places, 3) villages areas and mansions, 4) holy places and places of refuge, 5) cities of the Philistines that are 5 petty kingdoms, 6) and 7) special symbols for tribal places of Ephraim and of Simeon, because they are dispersed throughout the land. There is also a long statement between the legend and the western coast which translates into "Great Sea- Mediterranean Sea." This map of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel was first published in the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum in 1590 and then in the Parergon, Ortelius’ Geographical Historical atlas. The 12 tribes descended from Jacob are demarcated by dashed lines. The Dead Sea is incorrectly sickle shaped and should be straight north south. Coloring is typically Antwerp pale pastels. Plate size is 35x45cm. This map occurs in both later Theatrums and the Parergon. Scale is 1;1,200,000. Approximate number of copies is 3100.
References:
1. Cartographica Neerlandica.com
2. van den Broecke, Marcel ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460909
Abrahamo Ortelio Antverpiano auctore (in the rectangular legend top of the map with the map oriented to the North on top). Translation of title: Wanderings and the life of the Patriarch Abraham, by Abraham Ortelius from Antwerp. Banner along top and Bottom of the map area translates as: “Abraham, you must depart from your land and you must leave your relatives and come to the land which I will show you, and I will give you and your offspring after you the land to which you will wander, all the land of Canaan in eternal possession.” (Genesis 12 1-2) Cartouche middle right: “Dedicated as a sign of eternal friendship to Johannes Moflinius, a man of great humanity and excellent candidness, in many matters known to be noble.” Left middle of the sea: translates as ” With an Imperial, Royal and Belgian privilege for 10 years 1586.”
This unique map is presented as a tapestry and the Holy Land stretches from the Nile Delta to the Libano Mountains and headwaters of the Jordan River. An inset map in the Mediterranean Sea traces the route of Abraham. The map is surrounded by 22 keystone medallions by Maarten de Vos tracing the life of Abraham. The Dead Sea is wrongly sickled to the left instead of straight. The keystone medallion decoration, closely following the Bible, is the progenitor of Dutch decorative cartography. The copper plate was engraved by Franz Hogenberg. Plate size 32.5x45.7cm. Scale is 1:1,200,000. Edition 1595. Coloring is Antwerp light pastels with black back grounds in the medallions. Occurs in later Theatrums and the Parergon
References:
1. Cartographica Neerlandica .com
2. Book:Abraham Ortelius and the first Atlas ISBN 90 6194 388 4
3:Nebenzahl Maps of the Holy Land ISBN 0-89659-655-3 van den Broecke, Marcel ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460906
Title: Geographia Sacra, translated means ”Holy Geography.” Oriented with North on the top. Top right: ”From the geographical efforts of Abraham Ortelius, with an Imperial and Royal Brabant privilege for 10 years (1598).” Cartouche lower left “Because this map could not include the Ophira region, we have presented this world map separately. Of which we have noted disagreements in judgment of different writers. If anyone desires to know our true opinion about this matter, let he turn to our Geographical Treasure as we think, if he allows me, for additional information.” Upper left: ”The sea has been located in a spacious place, as if it were deep and large." Small world map caption: “This small map represents the locations of Ophyra (Gold)." Surrounding text: “The land and vastness of the world and those living on it belong to the Lord. Psalm 24." Bottom right legend: “Abraham Ortelius dedicates and recommends it therefore obediently and devotedly to the reverend and illustrious gentleman Guilelmus Grimbergen, the most dignified gentleman of Antwerp. From here they sailed on to Ophira (in the Persian Gulf), the river Hydaspis, which is considered to be the Phison and by others the Ganges, which this map cannot contain.” Plate Size: 35.6x 48.2cm. Scale: 1:15,000,000. Color Antwerp light pastels. Upper half of the map show ancient religious sites. Lower half indicates where there might be gold. No. printed 2625. Occurs in later Theatrums and the Parergon.
References:
1.Cartogaphica.com
2. van den Broecke , Marcel ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460910
The legend center top: “A choriographical map of divine Paul’s wanderings based on the first history of the apostles of the new testament described by Saint Luke, on which are displayed for your eyes to behold, all geographical places.” The lower right: cum priuilegio Imp. et Regiae Maiestatis: ”with a privilege from his imperial and royal majesty.” Bottom left: Abraham Ortelius describbat 1579—“designed by Abraham Ortelius 1579.” Bottom Cartouche: Quonium Igitur….vt illi placaemus, “Since we know….to please him” from 2 Corinthians 5.
Medallion upper left shows the conversion of Saul on his way to Damascus. Blinded he falls from his horse and 2 men lead him to Damascus. The medallion in the upper right shows Paul and crew being shipwrecked on the coast of Malta Acts 2 39-44. They light a fire and when Paul throws more wood on the fire, a snake bites his hand and he shakes it off into the fire without being injured. The bystanders then think he is divine. There are no previous examples of these scenes and they may have been designed by Ortelius. The map shows the Eastern Mediterranean and the bordering countries. Three different states total approximately 5875 copies. Usual Antwerp light pastel coloring. This map occurs both in later Theatrums and the Parergon.
References:
1. Maps of the Holy Land Nebenzahl 1986 ISBN 658-3
2. New Testament 2Corinthians
3. Van den Broecke, Marcel ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460912
Translation of title: “View of all that has been built here in Escorial (to commemorate the martyr) Saint Laurentius.” Bottom on each side of the cartouche: a poem by Michael van der Hagen honoring Phillip 2nd King of Spain and Emperor of Belgium and Holland (See Cartographica .com for translation). Plate size 36.9x47.7. No scale. Coloring Antwerp light pastels. No. Printed 2525.
The building of Escorial took 21 years 1563-1584 and commemorates Phillip’s battle of San Quentin in Northern France. The structure contained a church, monastery, university and palace. (It was to be the “new” Jerusalem.) Philip was the head of the anti-reformation). Published in 1591, the plan was to be a personal gift from Ortelius to Phillip II (who appointed him to be his Royal Geographer. However, Ortelius wanted to make the presentation himself, but was never able to and he died in 1598. The presentation was later made by his estate to the king. No. printed 2750. This plan is included in later Theatrums and the Parergon.
References:1.Cartographica Neerlandica.com
2.vandenBroecke, Marcel ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460911
LUMEN HISTORIARUM per ORIENTUM illestrandus Biblijs sacris, Martyro-logio, et alijs multis Concinn. Fran.Hareio Antuerpiae. Translates as: "This Historical Enlightenment of the East, to illustrate the Holy Bible; the list of Martyrs and other matters.” This map was felt worthy and was included in the 1624 edition of Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by his estate. List of location of the martyrs in the lands bordering the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. There is an inset world map at the top indicating the land of gold. There is also an expanded Holy Land map in the lower right. The dead sea is wrongly portrayed as sickled to the left when it should be straight north-south. Plate size 27.3x35.1 cm. Scale 1 :10,000,000. Number printed approximately 600. Map only in the 1624 Theatrum and the Parergon.
References:
1. Cartographica Neerlandica.com
2. van den Broecke, Marcel ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460821
Title translation: “Enlightenment on the histories in the west from the records of Franciscus Haraeus of Antwerp."
This map was included only in the 1624 edition of Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by the estate of Ortelius because it was felt worthy of inclusion. The map reveals the geographical place names of the location of the martyrs of the church in the lands surrounding the west and middle Mediterranean Sea. Plate size 27x34.5 cm. Scale 1:10,000,000. Number printed 600. The map is included only in the 1624 Theatrum and the Parergon.
References:
1. Cartographica Neederlandica.com
2. Van den Broecke, Marcel ORTELIUS ATLAS MAPS ISBN 9061943086
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460820
Left lower Legend: Turkish empire from an Epitome by Fillip Galle.
This 3in. x4.25 in. is a miniature derivative map based on Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, map # 50 of the Turkish Empire, by Fillip Galle in 1592. Beginning in 1579 and over a 42 year span, Galle produced at least 25 versions of the Theatrum in small atlases called Epitomes (shortened smaller versions) with Ortelius’ knowledge. There were no copyright laws yet and there is no history of disapproval by Ortelius. The empire stretches from Walachia (now part of Rumania) and Tripoli (part of modern Libya) to Persia and to western Asia including and through the entire Arabian peninsula to the Indian Ocean.
Fillip Galle (1537-March 1612) was a Dutch publisher, designer and engraver. He was born in Haarlem in the Netherlands. He then moved to Antwerp in 1569 and lived with his wife and son in a house opposite the Ortelius home. He was well known and friendly with Ortelius.
References:
1. Theatrum Orbis Terrarum 1570
2. Phillip Galle Wikipedia.org
3. Van den Broecke, Krogt and Meurer, edit. “Abraham Ortelius and THE FIRST ATLAS”{ ISBN 9061943884
4. Tooley’s Dictionary of Mapmakers
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460913
Title in legend lower right: New representation of Palestine or all of the Promised Land by Tilemann Stella from Siena.
Informational Legend upper left: Ancient land of Canaan in which lived the descendants of Cham (a son of Noah) stretching from Sidon in Phoenicia to the Nile Delta.
This 2.75 in. x 3.75 in. very small miniature map is a derivative of the Holy Land map #51 in the 1570 first atlas titled THEATRUM ORBIS TERRARUM BY Abraham Ortelius and was part of a pocket Epitome (shortened small version) by Fillip Galle. Printed in 1593, with Ortelius’ knowledge and apparent non-disapproval . There were no copyright laws then.
Fillip Galle (1537- March 1612) was a Dutch publisher designer and engraver. He was born in Haarlem in the Netherlands. He then moved to Antwerp in 1569 and lived with his wife and son in a house opposite the Ortelius home. He was well known and friendly with Ortelius.
References:
1. Tooley’s Dictionary of Mapmakers
2. Van den Broecke, Krogt and Muerer edit. “Abraham Ortelius and the First Atlas” ISBN 9061943884Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460615
Translation of title: Greater Turkey
Legend lower left: "Description of the Turkish empire."
This map printed and plagiarized by Pietro Maria Marchetti in 1598 from an EPITOME (miniature Theatrum Obis Terrarum) by Phillip Galle. Galles’s edition was presumably approved by Ortelius. Marchetti (1565 -1614), was a publisher and printer in Breccia, Italy and Venice, Italy. This a very close copy of Galle’s EPITOME which Marchetti titled: “IL TEATRO DEL MONDO." Pirated editions of atlases and maps were very common. They were less expensive to produce and there were no copyright laws at that time. See previous map annotations for history of Galle, and the portrait annotation for Ortelius’ history.
References:
1. Pietro Maria Marchetti Wikipedia.org (??? can't find)
2. Tooley’s Dictionary of Mapmakers
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from The Leonard and Juliet Rothman Holy Lands Map Collection at Stanford Libraries: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11460914
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