Ever wondered why some of the earliest maps and atlases feature fantastical sea creatures? Chet van Duzer, renowned historian of cartography, will be giving an online talk about these legendary creatures, showing how they reflected conceptions of the unknown and mythology, as well as what they reveal about early geographic thought, and nautical navigation. This event is hosted by the University of Aberdeen Collections as part of the Festival of the Sea.
About the speaker
Chet Van Duzer was born in Stanford, California, and writes about the history of cartography and the works that cartographers use as sources, including geographical texts, travel narratives, and illustrated books. He has held research fellowships at the Library of Congress, Princeton, the John Carter Brown Library, the Huntington Library, and the Clements Library at the University of Michigan.
About the publication 'Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps'
The sea monsters on medieval and Renaissance maps, whether swimming vigorously, gambolling amid the waves, attacking ships, or simply displaying themselves for our appreciation, are one of the most visually engaging elements on these maps, and yet they have never been carefully studied. The subject is important not only in the history of cartography, art, and zoological illustration, but also in the history of the geography of the 'marvellous' and of western conceptions of the ocean. Moreover, the sea monsters depicted on maps can supply important insights into the sources, influences, and methods of the cartographers who drew or painted them. In this highly-illustrated book the author analyses the most important examples of sea monsters on medieval and Renaissance maps produced in Europe, beginning with the earliest mappaemundi on which they appear in the tenth century and continuing to the end of the sixteenth century.
For more about the Festival of the Sea visit https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/major-events-aberdeen/festival-sea-2025
- Speaker
- Chet van Duzer
- Hosted by
- University Collections
- Venue
- This is an online event
- Contact
-
A Booking Link will appear here in June.
If you wish to receive a booking link, please register your interest by emailing uoacollections@abdn.ac.uk