This rare and stunning selection of world maps, reproduced here in full color, reflects the intelligence and passion of collectors who are intimately involved in all aspects of exhibit development. Through the language of cartography, the exhibition Envisioning the World explores the major trends in intellectual history from the early Renaissance through the scientific era of the Enlightenment. The maps illustrate the way in which Western civilization came to grips with the shape, size, and nature of the Earth as a whole. The maps also portray, often in a visually appealing and artistic manner, the earliest attempts to comprehend the nature of the solar system, the relationship of the planets, and, especially, the essential qualities of the earth.

Hide more