Portuguese portolan chart of Ireland
Dublin Core
Title
Portuguese portolan chart of Ireland
Subject
Fifteenth century--Cartography--Ireland--Purgatory
Description
A portolan chart of Europe by Grazioso Benincasa, showing the Aegean
Creator
Grazioso Benincasa, 1470
Publisher
British Library, Western Manuscripts Collection
Date
1470
Contributor
Owned and digitised by British Library
Rights
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial licence
Format
Vellum; 3 ft. 1 in. x 1 ft. 11 in
Language
Latin
Type
Portolan chart
Identifier
DD_0197
Coverage
54.616218, -7.876212
Abstract
This chart of Europe was drawn by Grazioso Benincasa at Ancona in 1470. It illustrates the detailed complexity of late portolan charts. Constantinople is in the centre, Crete at the foot and the intervening archipelago practically calls out for the fuller treatment provided by contemporary books of islands. The use of red to distinguish the more important place-names is a common feature on portolan charts.
Authorship of this portolan is confirmed by the inscription at the neck: Gratiosus Benincasa Anconitanus Composuit Ancone anno domini mcccclxx. Die viii Octubrie. Benincasa was one of the most active 15th century Italian chart makers. The Bay of Cardigan is not shown on this map, the Welsh coast and that of northern England is a smooth curve, dating this chart to pre 1550. Scotland is an island, the knot tying England and Scotland is typical of Benincasa, who reproduced the standard nautical chart with this new feature. Ireland is shown with the fabled land mark, the Purgatory of St Patrick, an inland loch with many islands. The text records that there are 368 islands. A dark red circle to the left of Ireland is marked “Brazill”, known to exist due to classical legend, the location and form however are obviously as yet unknown. [Anthilia] is marked under the skin of the neck. This chart is interesting in that it shows the expansion of Portuguese knowledge of the coast of Africa. Spain and Portugal were hunting for the New World. The east coast of England is the most accurate area of Britain depicted on this chart. Crosses around the coast indicate rocks, a peril to ships. London is marked in red and the Thames is indicated.
Authorship of this portolan is confirmed by the inscription at the neck: Gratiosus Benincasa Anconitanus Composuit Ancone anno domini mcccclxx. Die viii Octubrie. Benincasa was one of the most active 15th century Italian chart makers. The Bay of Cardigan is not shown on this map, the Welsh coast and that of northern England is a smooth curve, dating this chart to pre 1550. Scotland is an island, the knot tying England and Scotland is typical of Benincasa, who reproduced the standard nautical chart with this new feature. Ireland is shown with the fabled land mark, the Purgatory of St Patrick, an inland loch with many islands. The text records that there are 368 islands. A dark red circle to the left of Ireland is marked “Brazill”, known to exist due to classical legend, the location and form however are obviously as yet unknown. [Anthilia] is marked under the skin of the neck. This chart is interesting in that it shows the expansion of Portuguese knowledge of the coast of Africa. Spain and Portugal were hunting for the New World. The east coast of England is the most accurate area of Britain depicted on this chart. Crosses around the coast indicate rocks, a peril to ships. London is marked in red and the Thames is indicated.
References
British Library. Additional MS, 31318A
Files
Collection
Citation
Grazioso Benincasa, 1470, “Portuguese portolan chart of Ireland,” Digital Derg: A Deep Map, accessed April 19, 2024, https://digitalderg.eu/items/show/216.