Current and Coming Exhibits

	Claudius Ptolemy, World map on the second projection, in Cosmographia, ed. Nicolaus Germanus (Ulm: L. Hol, 1482). Newberry Library Ayer *6 P9 1482a
	Graphic explanation of the second projection, in Geographia, ed. Martin Waldseemüller and Lorenz Fries (Strasbourg: I. Grieninger, 1525).  Newberry Library Ayer *6 P9 1525

Ptolemy’s Geography and Renaissance Mapmakers
November 3, 2007 – February 16, 2008

R. R. Donnelley Gallery

Claudius Ptolemy, the 2nd Century CE Greek astronomer, is known as the father of modern geography. A revival of his work during the 15th and 16th centuries resulted in the creation of spectacular maps that highlight Renaissance map printing techniques and illustrate both the ancient and Renaissance world views and cartographic practices that shaped modern mapmaking.

This exhibition draws on the Library’s internationally renowned collection of printed editions of Ptolemy's Geography. The 37 original historic maps and texts on display show how Renaissance scholars, artists, and craftsmen transformed Ptolemy's work from an authoritative ancient treatise, to a proto-modern atlas, and finally to a revered historical source.  In the process these editors secured their own places in history as some of the finest Renaissance mapmakers. 

Curators

• James R. Akerman (Newberry Library)
• Robert W. Karrow, Jr. (Newberry Library)

Admission

Admission to exhibits at the Newberry Library is free and open to the public.

Related Public Programs

• Guided group tours are available for groups of 15-25 people and last approximately one hour. Group tours are offered November 14, 2007 through February 15, 2008; advance booking is required.

• Ancient Perspectives: Maps and Their Place in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome
  The 16th Kenneth Nebenzahl, Jr. Lectures in the History of Cartography
  November 8–10, 2007
  SPEAKERS: Alexander Jones (University of Toronto), Francesca Rochberg (University of California–Riverside), David O'Connor (New York University), Georgia Irby-Massie (College of William and Mary), Michael Lewis (Hull, U.K.), Richard Talbert (University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill), Benet Salway (University College, London, U.K.)
  
  
• Curator's Q&A in the Gallery
  November 10, 2007 at 2:00 pm
  SPEAKERS: James R. Akerman and Robert W. Karrow, Jr.

Resources

• Exhibit Object List (PDF)
  
  
• Education kit.  Images and suggested activites for classroom instruction related to the exhibit.
  
  
• Historic Maps in K-12 Classrooms, Map 1. Produced by the Smith Center, this free web resource for teaching the geographical dimensions of history includes four lesson plans based on one of the Ptolemaic world maps in the exhibit. 
  
  
• The Hermon Dunlap Smith Center for the History of Cartography. The Center seeks to advance knowledge of the history of cartography, defined as the history of creation, use, and interpretation of maps and the relationship between mapping and other facets of human history.
  
  
• Map Collections at the Newberry. The Newberry Library holds an estimated 500,000 maps issued separately and in atlases and books; half of these were published before 1900. Most of the great printed atlases, from Ptolemy onwards, are present, often in multiple editions.
  
  
• “Ptolemy’s Geography and Renaissance Mapmakers” is part of Festival of Maps Chicago. Please visit the Festival Web site for additional information about city-wide events.
  

 
Generous support for Ptolemy’s Geography and Renaissance Mapmakers
is provided by Christie's, the corporate sponsor of the exhibition.

Additional support is generously provided by Ken and Jossy Nebenzahl.