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This lithographed world map presents the global distribution of Christian missionary activity. The map uses a double hemisphere projection, with regions marked in black and white to distinguish Christianized areas from non-Christianized territories.
Surrounding the map are finely detailed vignettes depicting indigenous peoples and missionary encounters across different continents, including Native Americans, East Asians, Africans, and South Asians. A biblical reference from Matthew 28:18-20 underscores the evangelical mission theme. Often called the Great Commission, this passage instructs followers of Christ to 'go and make disciples of all nations,' baptizing them and teaching them to observe his commandments.
The composition emphasizes European missionary efforts in Africa, the Americas, and Asia, reflecting the worldview of 19th-century Protestant mission societies. Visual elements reinforce the perceived contrast between European missionaries and the indigenous populations they sought to convert.
Produced for the Basel Evangelical Missionary Society, this map reflects the era’s strong religious motivations for global exploration and colonization. It aligns with the mid-19th-century Protestant missionary movement, which sought to spread Christianity to non-European cultures. The map’s design and imagery encapsulate the intersection of religion, geography, and European perspectives on civilization and conversion.
Maps of missionary activity from this period are significant for their role in shaping European perceptions of the non-Christian world. This example, produced by the renowned lithographers Englemann Père et Fils, represents a rare visual artifact of religious cartography and missionary propaganda.
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