In this generously illustrated book, Jerry Brotton documents the
dramatic changes in the nature of geographical representation which
took place during the sixteenth century, explaining how much they
convey about the transformation of European culture at the end of
the early modern era. He examines the age's fascination with maps,
charts, and globes as both texts and artifacts that provided their
owners with a promise of gain, be it intellectual, political, or
financial.
From the Middle Ages through most of the sixteenth century,
Brotton argues, mapmakers deliberately exploited the partial, often
conflicting accounts of geographically distant territories to
create imaginary worlds. As long as the lands remained
inaccessible, these maps and globes were politically compelling.
They bolstered the authority of the imperial patrons who employed
the geographers and integrated their creations into ever more
grandiose rhetorics of expansion.
As the century progressed, however, geographers increasingly
owed allegiance to the administrators of vast joint-stock companies
that sought to exploit faraway lands and required the systematic
mapping of commercially strategic territories. By the beginning of
the seventeenth century, maps had begun to serve instead as
scientific guides, defining objectively valid images of the
world
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
