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Portolan Collection

Portolan charts, also known as portolans, were navigational maps used by sailors during the Age of Exploration

Background imagePortolan Collection: Spanish map of England, Scotland and Ireland

Spanish map of England, Scotland and Ireland
A Spanish map of England, Scotland and Ireland and the coast of northern France from the time of the Anglo Spanish War. Joan Martines (1556-1591). Date: 1587

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Selden Map of China. Artist: Chinese Master

The Selden Map of China. Artist: Chinese Master
The Selden Map of China. Found in the collection of the Bodleian Library, Oxford

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan chart, 1591. Map of the Pacific Ocean

Portolan chart, 1591. Map of the Pacific Ocean. It depicts the western coast of Central and South America, from Mexico to the Strait of Magellan. Renaissance art. Miniature Painting

Background imagePortolan Collection: 17th Century nautical map of the Atlantic

17th Century nautical map of the Atlantic Ocean. Historical portolan chart showing the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent continents

Background imagePortolan Collection: Map of Western Europe, 1590

Map of Western Europe, 1590
16th century map of Western Europe. Published around 1590, this map shows the coasts of Western Europe and the Mediterranean

Background imagePortolan Collection: Italy, from an Atlas of the World in 33 Maps, Venice, 1st September 1553 (ink on vellum)

Italy, from an Atlas of the World in 33 Maps, Venice, 1st September 1553 (ink on vellum)
XOT330948 Italy, from an Atlas of the World in 33 Maps, Venice, 1st September 1553 (ink on vellum) by Agnese, Battista (1514-64); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan chart, 1582. Map of the central part

Portolan chart, 1582. Map of the central part of the Mediterranean sea. Printed in Messina. Renaissance art. Miniature Painting

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Cities of Marseille and Genoa with their ports, from a nautical atlas, 1651

The Cities of Marseille and Genoa with their ports, from a nautical atlas, 1651
XOT330921 The Cities of Marseille and Genoa with their ports, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330919) by Pietro Giovanni Prunes (fl)

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Cantino planisphere, 1502. Artist: Anonymous master

The Cantino planisphere, 1502. Artist: Anonymous master
The Cantino planisphere, 1502. Found in the collection of the Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Modena

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Island of Crete, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330925)

The Island of Crete, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330925)
XOT330926 The Island of Crete, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330925) by Pietro Giovanni Prunes (fl. 17th Century); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePortolan Collection: The French Coast, England, Scotland and Ireland, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum)

The French Coast, England, Scotland and Ireland, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum)
XOT330911 The French Coast, England, Scotland and Ireland, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330910) by Giovanni Xenodocus da Corfu (fl)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan Atlas, 1587. Map of the Iberian Peninsula

Portolan Atlas, 1587. Map of the Iberian Peninsula, the north coastline of Africa and the Vasque Countrys region in France. Made in Messina. Facsimile. Miniature Painting. SPAIN. Madrid

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan Map of the Mediterranean and connecting seas

Portolan Map of the Mediterranean and connecting seas
3507730 Portolan Map of the Mediterranean and connecting seas; (add.info.: Portolan Map of the Mediterranean and connecting seas)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Cartography, 16th century. Map of the Mediterranean Sea, from a portolan chart by Pietro Russo

Cartography, 16th century. Map of the Mediterranean Sea, from a portolan chart by Pietro Russo, Messina, 1508 (map)
AIS5350346 Cartography, 16th century. Map of the Mediterranean Sea, from a portolan chart by Pietro Russo, Messina, 1508 (map); Museu Maritim Atarazanas, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain; © Iberfoto

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas (reproduction)

Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054662 Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info.: Reproduction of 1375 World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Kingdom of France, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum)

The Kingdom of France, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum)
XOT330935 The Kingdom of France, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum) by Italian School, (17th century); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePortolan Collection: North Africa, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330916)

North Africa, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330916)
XOT330918 North Africa, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330916) by Giovanni Xenodocus da Corfu (fl. 16th Century); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Greek, out of copyright

Background imagePortolan Collection: Nautical world map. (Australia is suggested but still unknown territory and, California

Nautical world map. (Australia is suggested but still unknown territory and, California is shown as an island), 1634. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 10, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 10, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054670 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 10, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Coast, depicting the different stages of the Voyage

Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Coast, depicting the different stages of the Voyage
JEB940232 Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Coast, depicting the different stages of the Voyage of Ulysses, as told in Homers Odyssey, 1593 (parchment) by French School

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 9, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 9, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054647 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 9, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 12, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 12, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054646 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 12, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 11, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 11, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054644 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 11, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Four vellum leaves of the Catalan Atlas, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)

Four vellum leaves of the Catalan Atlas, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5895292 Four vellum leaves of the Catalan Atlas, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 8 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 8 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054649 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 8 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054638 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing the Western Sahara and Mansa Musa

Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing the Western Sahara and Mansa Musa
5054637 Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing the Western Sahara and Mansa Musa, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Background imagePortolan Collection: Facsmile of Whaling and Isle of Saint Brandon, detail from a portolan map by Pierre

Facsmile of Whaling and Isle of Saint Brandon, detail from a portolan map by Pierre
CHT163010 Facsmile of Whaling and Isle of Saint Brandon, detail from a portolan map by Pierre Desceliers, 1546, published in Monuments de la Geographie by Edme Francois Jomard (1777-1862)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7 and 8, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7 and 8, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054639 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7 and 8, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: North Africa, Europe and the Middle East from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction)

North Africa, Europe and the Middle East from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054659 North Africa, Europe and the Middle East from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing Mansa Musa enthroned

Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing Mansa Musa enthroned
5043052 Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing Mansa Musa enthroned, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas (reproduction)

Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054666 Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info.: Reproduction of 1375 World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 5, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 5, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054641 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 5, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan Chart of Western Europe and North Africa, c. 1580 (sepia ink and colour on vellum

Portolan Chart of Western Europe and North Africa, c. 1580 (sepia ink and colour on vellum
986016 Portolan Chart of Western Europe and North Africa, c.1580 (sepia ink and colour on vellum) by Dutch School, (16th century); 89x73 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan Chart of Western Europe and North Africa, 1578 (sepia ink and colours on vellum)

Portolan Chart of Western Europe and North Africa, 1578 (sepia ink and colours on vellum)
986015 Portolan Chart of Western Europe and North Africa, 1578 (sepia ink and colours on vellum) by Teixeira, Luis (fl.1564-1612); 69x61 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePortolan Collection: A double-page map of the Atlantic Ocean, showing the east coast of North

A double-page map of the Atlantic Ocean, showing the east coast of North
985950 A double-page map of the Atlantic Ocean, showing the east coast of North and South America, 1544 (illuminated manuscript on vellum) by Agnese

Background imagePortolan Collection: Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054643 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Cathay, China from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction)

Cathay, China from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054664 Cathay, China from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info.: Detail from the reproduction of 1375 World map made in Majorca)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, Sea of Azov…, 16th century

Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, Sea of Azov…, 16th century
Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa, 16th century. Found in the Collection of Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid

Background imagePortolan Collection: Central America, from an Atlas of the World in 33 Maps, Venice, 1st September 1553

Central America, from an Atlas of the World in 33 Maps, Venice, 1st September 1553
XOT330962 Central America, from an Atlas of the World in 33 Maps, Venice, 1st September 1553 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330960) by Agnese, Battista (1514-64); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Italian

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Port of La Valletta, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330944)

The Port of La Valletta, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330944)
XOT330944 The Port of La Valletta, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330944) by Italian School, (17th century); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Aegean Sea, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum) (see also 330940)

The Aegean Sea, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum) (see also 330940)
XOT330939 The Aegean Sea, from a nautical atlas, 1646 (ink on vellum) (see also 330940) by Italian School, (17th century); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Island of Lemnos, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330925)

The Island of Lemnos, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330925)
XOT330927 The Island of Lemnos, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (detail from 330925) by Pietro Giovanni Prunes (fl. 17th Century); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePortolan Collection: The Aegean Sea, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (see also 330926-330927)

The Aegean Sea, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (see also 330926-330927)
XOT330925 The Aegean Sea, from a nautical atlas, 1651 (ink on vellum) (see also 330926-330927) by Pietro Giovanni Prunes (fl)

Background imagePortolan Collection: Provence and Northern Italy, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum)

Provence and Northern Italy, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum)
XOT330917 Provence and Northern Italy, from a nautical atlas, 1520 (ink on vellum) by Giovanni Xenodocus da Corfu (fl. 16th Century); Museo Correr, Venice, Italy; Greek, out of copyright



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Portolan charts, also known as portolans, were navigational maps used by sailors during the Age of Exploration. These intricate and detailed maps provided vital information about coastlines, ports, and landmarks to aid in safe navigation. One notable example is The Selden Map of China, created by a Chinese master artist. This map showcases the vastness of China's territory and its coastal regions in stunning detail. Another remarkable portolan chart from 1591 depicts the Pacific Ocean. Sailors relied on this map to navigate through uncharted waters and discover new lands across the vast expanse of the ocean. The 17th-century nautical map of the Atlantic offers insights into European exploration during that era. It highlights major trade routes between continents and provides valuable information for seafarers venturing into unknown territories. An Atlas of the World in 33 Maps produced in Venice on September 1st, 1553 captures Italy's beauty with ink on vellum. This exquisite piece showcases Italy's diverse landscapes and serves as a testament to cartographic artistry. A central part of Europe is depicted in a portolan chart from 1582. This map reveals key cities and their surrounding areas, aiding sailors in navigating through Europe's waterways. Nautical atlases like one from 1651 showcase important trading hubs such as Marseille and Genoa along with their respective ports. These maps played an essential role in facilitating maritime commerce during that period. The Cantino planisphere from 1502 remains an anonymous masterpiece displaying accurate representations of England, Scotland, Ireland, and other European countries at that time. Crete takes center stage on another nautical atlas from 1651 made using ink on vellum. Its detailed depiction allows mariners to safely navigate around this island while exploring nearby waters. A French Coast map dating back to1520 provides crucial details about England, Scotland, Ireland - all inked onto vellum.