Geodetski list, Vol. 54 (77) No. 1, 2000.
Review article
Our Cartographers in the 16. and 17. Centuries
Petrica Novosel-Žic
; Geografski odsjek Prirodoslovno-matematičkog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Željka Richter-Novosel
; Leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
As a result of big geographic discoveries, the 16. and 17. Centuries were characterised by the flourishing of cartography. Lively cartographic activity that used to be of high quality at the beginning was very much spread especially in Dutch cities. Family cartographic workshops of Gerhard Kremer Mercator, Abraham Ortelius, Blaeu and others were the carriers of this activity. After the discovery of new continents the maps were provided with more reliable data, and not only "modern maps", so called "tabulae modernae", were made, but also the first atlases. Especially valuable cartographic work was "Atlas Novus" by Blaeu from 1634. Croatian territories on the maps at that time were presented only marginally, which intrigued our master cartographers to present them in a more detailed way. P. Kopić from Istria, V. D. Volčić from Dubrovnik and M. R. Kolunić and B. Bonifačić from Šibenik made the maps of our, but also of Italian coast and islands, and I. Klobučarić, P. R. Vitezović and S. Glavač present mostly the inland territories of Croatia, as well as the disputable areas near Croatian and Turkish border. This fact itself highlights complex political circumstances that our cartographers were working in. Apart from Turkish threats and occupations, the country was also divided between Austria and Venice, so it is not surprising that our cartographers used to be regarded as either "Austrian" or "Italian". With their works they were not behind much more famous foreign authors that they used to learn from very often. On the contrary, some of them were predecessors of cartographic activity, and the others have remained quite unfairly forgotten until the present days. In spite of all that, they are the pillars of Croatian cartography from its flourishing period.
Keywords
cartographers; map; portolan maps; engraver; Croatia; Austria; Venice; Italy; Turks
Hrčak ID:
290998
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2000.
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