These two hand-colored maps on a single sheet, created by Benedetto Bordone, are part of the Isolario, first published in Venice in 1528. This significant work features a collection of maps and descriptions of islands throughout the world, reflecting the geographical knowledge of the early 16th century.
The first map on the left depicts the island of Ceos (modern-day Kea), immediately south of Athens and the Greek mainland. Situated in the Cyclades Archipelago of the Aegean Sea, the island is shown with detailed illustrations of its terrain, including hills, trees, and a prominent structure, likely representing the main town or significant landmark of the period. The map uses a simple yet effective color scheme to differentiate between land and sea, with the latter depicted in light blue.
The accompanying text provides historical and geographical context for Ceos, noting its strategic location near the coast of Achaia and its division from the mainland by a narrow channel. The island's ancient names and associations with Greek mythology are discussed, emphasizing its significance in antiquity. Bordone’s description elaborates on the island's cultural and historical relevance, making it a valuable reference for understanding the region's past.
The second map on the right showcases the islands of Sciathos (Skiathos) and Scopelos (Skopelos), also located in the Sporades Islands of the Aegean Sea, to the east of the Greek mainland. The map follows a similar illustrative style, highlighting the islands' topography with hills, trees, and notable structures. The surrounding waters are again depicted in a light blue, with additional islets and navigational points marked for clarity.
The text beside this map delves into the mythology and history associated with these islands. Sciathos and Scopelos are described in terms of their ancient names, geographical positioning, and historical events, such as their roles in Greek mythology and historical conflicts. The description offers insights into the islands' significance during the period, reflecting Bordone's effort to provide a comprehensive account of these locations.
Benedetto Bordone (1460-1531) was a polymath who was born in Padua and worked in Venice. He was an illuminator, engraver, miniaturist, editor, and geographer. It is possible he made the first globe in Italy. His most famous work is the Isolario, or Book of Islands, which included many of the earliest printed maps of islands in the New World.
Bordone, a prominent Venetian manuscript editor, miniaturist, and cartographer, was born in Padua, a city that was then part of the Republic of Venice. Although his exact date of birth remains unknown, historical records indicate that his parents married in Padua in 1442, and he himself was married in 1480. Bordone's contributions to the field of cartography, particularly through his seminal work, Isolario, have cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in the Renaissance cartographic tradition.
Bordone's most renowned work, Isolario (The Book of Islands), printed in Venice in 1528, is a comprehensive compilation that describes all the known islands of the world. The book offers detailed accounts of each island's folklore, myths, cultures, climates, geographical situations, and historical narratives. It stands as a testament to the popularity of the isolario genre in 15th and 16th century Italy and serves as an illustrated guide for sailors, incorporating the era's latest transatlantic discoveries.
One of the notable features of Isolario is an oval depiction of the world, a map type invented by Bordone. This innovation was later formalized into the equal-area elliptical Mollweide projection three centuries afterward. Bordone's map portrays a distorted view of the New World, showing only the northern regions of South America and depicting North America as a large island labeled Terra del Laboratore (Land of the Worker), a likely reference to the region's active slave trade during that period, which also influenced the name Labrador.
The book also contains the earliest known printed account of Francisco Pizarro's conquest of Peru, making it a significant historical document. Among the numerous woodcut maps included in Isolario, twelve are dedicated to the Americas. These maps feature a plan of "Temistitan" (Tenochtitlan, modern Mexico City) before its destruction by Hernán Cortés, and a map of Ciampagu, the earliest known European-printed map of Japan depicted as an island.
Benedetto Bordone's familial connections are also of interest; he is reputed to have been the father of Julius Caesar Scaliger, a noted classical scholar, and the grandfather of Joseph Justus Scaliger, who is recognized as the founder of the science of historical chronology. The original maps from Bordone's Isolario are highly valued today for their historical significance and intricate craftsmanship. Through his work, Bordone has left an indelible mark on the history of cartography, providing invaluable insights into the geographical knowledge and cultural perceptions of his time.