Catalan AtlasCresques Abraham · 1375

Identification of the Catalan Atlas

The Catalan Atlas is a medieval world map attributed to the cartographer Cresques Abraham. Produced in Mallorca, Spain, the work was completed around 1375. This nautical chart and mappa mundi originated from the Majorcan cartographic school, a group of mapmakers active during the 14th century. The document was commissioned by Prince John of Aragon and was intended to be presented as a gift to Charles VI of France.

The work is a collection of vellum leaves that functioned as an encyclopedia of geographical, political, and economic information. It incorporates practical navigational elements, such as the first use of a compass rose on a portolan chart, alongside detailed illustrations of various territories. The atlas provides data on tides, time-telling, and the customs of diverse cultures, including the Mali Empire and the Il-Khanate. It represents a synthesis of maritime science and the travel literature of the period.

Composition and Visual Details

The atlas is organized into six vellum leaves that were originally folded vertically. This structure means that many of the depicted locations and figures appear upside down when the map is viewed in a strictly vertical orientation. The work functions as a medieval mappa mundi and a nautical portolan chart. It depicts the Earth as a spherical body rather than a flat plane. The layout is divided into distinct sections, including a Western portion and an oriental portion.

In the Western portion, the map features the first known use of a compass rose on a portolan chart. This element includes wind roses with eight principal winds and cardinal points, rendered in color. The oriental portion of the map contains numerous religious references. The composition integrates geographical data with various illustrations of people, customs, and economic resources. These visual elements provide a detailed representation of the known regions of the Earth and the inhabitants of those lands.

Materials and Artistic Technique

The work is executed on illuminated parchment, specifically vellum. The application of pigment involves the use of various colors, including the integration of gold and silver. The original structure of the composition consisted of six vellum leaves that were folded vertically. These leaves were later mounted onto both the front and back of five wooden panels. To secure the assembly, the ends were enclosed in a leather binding completed by Simon Vostre about 1515.

The technique utilizes layering pigments to create the detailed cartographic and illustrative elements. The surface shows the texture of the parchment, with visible brushstrokes and slight discoloration consistent with the age of the material. The coloring process incorporates metallic elements to distinguish specific features within the manuscript. The physical construction relies on the combination of organic materials, including animal skin, wood, and leather, to maintain the integrity of the folded leaves.

History and Current Location

The manuscript was part of the royal library of France by 1380. It was likely commissioned by the King of Aragon for Charles V, the king of France. This work is currently preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, located in Paris, France. The specific manuscript is identified by the catalog number Ms. Espagnol 30.

The physical structure of the atlas consists of six vellum leaves that were folded vertically. These leaves were later mounted on the front and back of five wooden panels. A leather binding was added by Simon Vostre around 1515. The most recent restoration of the object took place in 1991.