Question

The Fra Mauro World Map (ca. 1460) is considered to be the crowning achievement of medieval cartographers.

a. What is a possible reason for the south-up orientation of this map?
b. What is the significance of the fact that this map DOES NOT have Jerusalem at its center?
c. This map was made by a monk for the rulers of the Republics of Venice and Portugal. Why would rulers of these republics commission such a project?

Answer 1

a. The south-up orientation of the Fra Mauro World Map is unusual but typical of Fra Mauro’s portolan charts. One explanation for this orientation is that 15th-century compasses were south-pointing. Additionally, south at the top was used in Arab maps of the time.

b. The fact that this map does not have Jerusalem at its center is significant because it shows a shift from the religious or traditional beliefs of the time. Medieval mappae mundi often reflected biblical geographical teaching, with Jerusalem at the center of the world. The Fra Mauro map, however, placed accuracy ahead of these beliefs. This break with tradition marked “the beginning of the end of early medieval mappae mundi” according to Jerry Brotton.

c. The Fra Mauro World Map was commissioned by the rulers of Venice and Portugal, two of the main seafaring nations of the time. During the 15th century, these nations were eager explorers and wealthy clients. The map was likely commissioned for its detailed and accurate representation of the world, which would have been invaluable for trade and exploration purposes. The map took several years to complete and was very expensive to produce, indicating the importance placed on accurate cartography during this period.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The Fra Mauro World Map's south-up orientation and central placement of East Africa reflect the period's cartographic traditions and signal changing European worldviews. Venice and Portugal commissioned maps for navigation and claims during the Age of Discovery. The Cantino World Map underscores the expanding geographical knowledge and European perceptions following exploration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Fra Mauro World Map (ca. 1460) is regarded as a pinnacle of medieval cartography for several reasons, including its south-up orientation and its central placement of East Africa rather than Jerusalem. This orientation might have been influenced by the Islamic world's cartographic traditions, as maps often reflected the perspective and knowledge of the cartographer. The lack of Jerusalem at the center signifies a shift in the worldview of Europeans, highlighting the importance of other regions in international trade and politics.

Rulers of Venice and Portugal had vested interests in accurate world representations, especially as these republics were emerging as maritime powers. Commissioning such maps was vital for navigation, trade routes planning, and asserting political claims, particularly during the Age of Discovery when new lands were being explored and claimed. The Cantino World Map (1502), for example, also showcases the state of geographical knowledge at the turn of the sixteenth century, including the implications of the Treaty of Tordesillas, which was a direct consequence of European exploration and papal decisions in apportioning newly 'discovered' lands.

Overall, these maps are critical historical evidence, providing insight not only into the geographical understanding of the times but also into the cultural, political, and ideological biases that influenced the cartographers and their patrons.