Vallard Atlas
Title
Vallard Atlas
Description
The Vallard Atlas, named after the temporary owner Nicolas Vallard, is a collection of 15 nautical maps from 1547. These maps are primarily of coasts of The Mediterranean, North Africa, and South America. Each map is heavily influenced by Portuguese map making at the time, leading scholars to believe that they were made from Portuguese sources that no longer exist.
With very little attention to physical locations, intricate illustrations fill all of the land. The only locations labeled are coastal cities. The water is in striking visual contrast with the land, with navigational lines of portolan chart influence. The focus on navigation on the water indicates that these maps were likely used primarily for water navigation. However, the visual appeal is theorized to mean that they were often displayed on big tables for communal viewing.
The illustrations on the land are primarily scenes of people. The dress of the people vary by map, indicating knowledge of cultural differences around the world. The first map in the Atlas is thought to be of the east coast of Australia, and the illustrations are of an indigenous group. They are portrayed in a village, and there are people in and around it doing various things such as riding horses and working. Other maps include castles and royalty as well.
The illustrations in the water are also important in the context of map making at the time. Along with the typical portolan chart lines of navigation, there are compases, ships, and animals in the water. The maps are primarily oriented with south facing up, but the compases have a bigger north arrow facing the bottom of the page. Among the animals and boats there is a wide variety of stylistic choices, based on geography. Some of the creatures are mystical and exaggerated, while others are real and simple. The decisions made in the illustrations give insight into the degree of knowledge that Persians had of the rest of the world at the time. (Mia Beeman-Weber 2024)
With very little attention to physical locations, intricate illustrations fill all of the land. The only locations labeled are coastal cities. The water is in striking visual contrast with the land, with navigational lines of portolan chart influence. The focus on navigation on the water indicates that these maps were likely used primarily for water navigation. However, the visual appeal is theorized to mean that they were often displayed on big tables for communal viewing.
The illustrations on the land are primarily scenes of people. The dress of the people vary by map, indicating knowledge of cultural differences around the world. The first map in the Atlas is thought to be of the east coast of Australia, and the illustrations are of an indigenous group. They are portrayed in a village, and there are people in and around it doing various things such as riding horses and working. Other maps include castles and royalty as well.
The illustrations in the water are also important in the context of map making at the time. Along with the typical portolan chart lines of navigation, there are compases, ships, and animals in the water. The maps are primarily oriented with south facing up, but the compases have a bigger north arrow facing the bottom of the page. Among the animals and boats there is a wide variety of stylistic choices, based on geography. Some of the creatures are mystical and exaggerated, while others are real and simple. The decisions made in the illustrations give insight into the degree of knowledge that Persians had of the rest of the world at the time. (Mia Beeman-Weber 2024)
Creator
Unknown
Source
Dieppe School of Maps, Vallard Atlas, 1547
Format
250 x 340 mm
Publisher
Thomaz, Luís Filipe F. R. (Luís Filipe Ferreira Reis), 1942-; Reinhartz, Dennis.; Miranda García-Tejedor, Carlos, 1962-; M. Moleiro Editor, S.A.
Date
1547
Medium
Parchment
Contributor
Special Collections, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Relation
Moleiro: Vallard Atlas
Language
English, French, Spanish
Type
Atlas
Identifier
https://bridge.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991015511699702971&
Spatial Coverage
Coastal regions of The Mediteranian, North Africa, South America, and Australia
References
“The Vallard Atlas.” MyOldMaps.com. 10/21/2024 https://www.myoldmaps.com/renaissance-maps-1490-1800/383-giacomo-gastaldi-world/3812-vallard.pdf “Vallard Atlas, The Huntington Library, San Marino (CA).”Marino. 10/21/24. https://www.moleiro.com/en/maps-atlases/vallard-atlas.html.
Collection
Citation
Unknown, “Vallard Atlas,” Mapping the World, accessed June 20, 2025, https://hist231.hist.sites.carleton.edu/items/show/79.