Author:   Ortelius, Abraham   Date:   1592
Title:   Typus Orbis Terrarum   BIB:   9, 13
Versions of this elaborately decorated world map were first published in Abraham Ortelius' 1570 premiere edition of Typus Orbis Terrarum, his "Atlas of the Theater of the World." While this map has much in common geographically with its twenty-two year old predecessor, Ortelius did accept changes and corrections from cartographers and updated his maps in subsequent editions of the Atlas to reflect the latest geographic knowledge. The maps in all editions of this atlas use the theme of the Theater to present the world and its regions as if they were on an elaborate Renaissance stage. The backdrop, or border of the map evokes an image of a colorful and ornately designed curtain pulled back to reveal an equally ornate world map. The borders are complete with strapwork cartouches, elaborately decorated boxes framing Latin text which were characteristic of the Flemish style of cartography, and Latin quotes from Cicero and Seneca. All editions of the Atlas followed the same basic structure of presentation. Some of these elements included an allegorical title page depicting the continents as goddesses, a dedication to Phillip II of Spain and the Netherlands, a poem, a portrait of Ortelius, a list of sources, an index of place names and regions, and of course the maps themselves.

Close Window
© University of Alabama
To purchase map reproductions, submit a quote request.
Download MrSID Plugin