Geographia (Geography)
Ptolemy

After generations of neglect, the geography of Ptolemy was revived in the West in the fourteenth century thanks to the endeavours of humanist scholars who revered classical authority. But this rediscovery came at a time when Ptolemaic geography was being superseded. The front leaf of this copy of the Geography bears the coat of arms of Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile, who six years later would be the patrons of Christopher Columbus’s Atlantic voyage of 1492. The Geography may well have contributed to Columbus’s explorations by encouraging his belief that Asia was much closer to Europe than it was. The subsequent discovery by Columbus of the American continent rendered obsolete much of Ptolemy’s geographical model of the earth, and yet editions of the Geographia continued to be published after 1492 without any reference to this discovery.

Arch. B b.19, fols. 131v–132r


Step1: choose the material
Step2: choose the size
Step3: choose finishings and framing
Image total size 25.0 x 16.4 cm
Print total size 29.0 x 20.4 cm

Add to cart
£12.00  

Paper without frame
The reproduction is rolled in a rigid tube for shipping.
Fine Art Giclée printing is commonly used at a professional level for the reproduction of works of art. The inkjet printing technique uses natural pigments which are highly light-resistant. We use a special 260g/m2 matte Fine Art paper for high-quality reproductions.
The work will be printed according to the measures you have requested and will include an additional white border.