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Benedetto BordoneItalian manuscript publisher, miniaturist, cartographer.
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
- Benedetto Bordone: Master of Mapping and Miniatures
- "Isolario": A Respected Cartographic Work
- Mapping the New World: Innovative Oval Projections
- The Americas: A Distorted Representation
- Historic Events and Early Maps
- Ciampagu: Mapping Japan as an Island
- Family Connections and Legacy
- Historic Value of Bordone's Maps
Benedetto Bordone: Master of Mapping and Miniatures
Benedetto Bordone, an Italian from the 15th and 16th centuries, emerged as an esteemed publisher of manuscripts, a gifted miniaturist, and a renowned cartographer.
"Isolario": A Respected Cartographic Work
Bordone's crowning achievement was his "Isolario," a detailed illustrated account of the known islands of the world. Published in Venice in 1528, it became a widely read guide for sailors, encapsulating the latest geographical discoveries of the time.
Mapping the New World: Innovative Oval Projections
Bordone's "Isolario" contained an innovative and influential map of the world, presented in an oval projection. This groundbreaking representation, later refined into the familiar hemispheres, provided a unique perspective on the continents.
The Americas: A Distorted Representation
Bordone's depiction of the New World, though distorted, hinted at the significant discoveries made in the Americas. South America appeared as a truncated continent, while North America was portrayed as "Terra del Laboratore" (Land of Labor), an allusion to the region's slave trade.
Historic Events and Early Maps
The "Isolario" included compelling accounts of historical events, including the conquest of Peru by Francisco Pizarro. Notably, it featured the earliest printed map of Mexico City, known as Temistitan (Tenochtitlan), before its conquest by Hernán Cortés.
Ciampagu: Mapping Japan as an Island
Bordone's "Isolario" boasts the distinction of containing the first European printed map of Japan, labeled as the island of Ciampagu. This map provided an early glimpse of the Far Eastern nation for European explorers.
Family Connections and Legacy
Beyond his cartographic contributions, Bordone was the father of the renowned scholar Julius Caesar Scaliger and the grandfather of Joseph Justus Scaliger, who made significant advancements in historical chronology.
Historic Value of Bordone's Maps
Benedetto Bordone's original maps from the "Isolario" hold immense historical value as they provide an invaluable perspective on the geographical knowledge and worldview of the early 16th century.
