Map of Eastern Hemisphere - Coronelli c. 1690

Aevi Veteris Usque Ad Annum Salutis Nonagesimum Supra Milles Quadringentos Cogniti Tantum Typus Geographicus
Drawn/Published by: Vincenzo Maria Coronelli (1650–1718)
Location: Venice
Year: c. 1690–1691 (Date on map MDCLXXXVIIIII / 1689)
From: Atlante Veneto
Condition: Hand-coloured copperplate engraving; professionally matted. 

A Vision of the Ancient World through Venetian Eyes
This magnificent 1689 map of the Eastern Hemisphere is the work of Vincenzo Maria Coronelli, one of Italy's most esteemed cartographers and globe-makers. Dedicated to Jacobo Marcello, the map intentionally presents the "Ancient World" as it was understood before the Age of Discovery—specifically up until the year 1490. It serves as a scholarly bridge between the classical geography of Ptolemy and the 17th-century Venetian mastery of scientific engraving.

Scientific Imagery and Historical Detail
The map is a masterpiece of information design, blending geographical record with astronomical data:

• Classical Scope: The map focuses on Europe, most of Africa, and part of Asia, reflecting the "Ecumene" known to ancient scholars. It notably excludes later discoveries like Japan or the Northeast coast of Asia.
• Celestial Framework: The central globe is encircled by several informative rings, including the signs of the zodiac, climatic zones, and numeric tables related to latitude and longitude.
• Artistic Grandeur: The map is framed by bold, decorative borders typical of Coronelli’s high-Baroque style, which often featured high-quality paper and intense, detailed impressions.

The Coronelli Legacy
A Franciscan monk and the founder of the world’s first geographical society (Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti), Coronelli was famously commissioned to build massive globes for Louis XIV of France. This map, taken from his twelve-volume Atlante Veneto, remains a definitive record of his extraordinary ability to synthesize historical scholarship with cutting-edge cartographic art.