In 1450 , Venetian Thelonious Sphere Monk Fra Mauro create what cartography experts say may be the first known “ modern ” world map . Two hundred fifty years later , a copy was made that now resides in the cartographical collection of the British Library .
But this single-valued function is interesting for reasons beyond its age . As Brain Pickings’Maria Popova notes , this global depiction was created during the golden long time of display maps , “ the period between 1450 and 1800 , when maps were as much a virtual dick for sailing as they were work of art and affirmations of cultural hegemony or social status . ”
In other words , these ancient maps often served as mannequin of propaganda ( some would argue thatmost function still do ) ; and in a assemblage entitledMagnificent Maps : Power , Propaganda and Art , British Library mapmaking curators Peter Barber and Tom Harper explain the various manner that this and other ancient single-valued function were used for reasons other than their vaporous navigational public utility :
[ The Fra Mauro World Map ] points south because 15th - century compasses were south - pointing . It shows the Portuguese discovery in Africa and question the authority of medieval and Graeco-Roman generator . destine for display in Venice , it emphasizes the exploit of Marco Polo . The British East India Company commissioned this copy , thus imply that Britain was successor to the Lusitanian imperium .
A hi - res version of the mapcan be found here , but those looking for an even more incisive feeling at the map and its history should ensure outthis outstanding interactional applet , host by The British Library . [ Spotted onBrain Pickings ]
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