Francesco Rosselli: Difference between revisions
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'''Francesco Rosselli''' (b. 1445, Florence, d. before 1513, Florence) was an Italian miniature painter, engraver and cartographer. He created many important maps, including one of the first maps of the world to |
'''Francesco Rosselli''' (b. 1445, Florence, d. before 1513, Florence) was an Italian miniature painter, engraver and cartographer. He created many important maps, including one of the first maps of the world to depict the Americas after [[Christopher Columbus]]' voyages. Historian [[James Williamson, historian|James Williamson]] says this map should be dated 1506, but some apparently give it the incorrect date 1507 or 1508. |
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Rosselli painted miniatures in several of the most lavish manuscripts produced in fifteenth-century Florence including copies of Ptolemy's [[Geographia]] and liturgical works for the city's cathedral. He may also have produced panel paintings. The so-called "Tavola Strozzi", a view of the bay of Naples depicting the return of the Aragonese fleet after the Battle of Ischia, has sometimes been attributed to his hand. Rosselli's pictorial engravings were heavily influenced by the paintings of fellow Florentine Sandro [[Botticelli]]. Among his best known works is a series of fifteen engravings of the Life of the Virgin and Christ. |
Rosselli painted miniatures in several of the most lavish manuscripts produced in fifteenth-century Florence including copies of Ptolemy's [[Geographia]] and liturgical works for the city's cathedral. He may also have produced panel paintings. The so-called "Tavola Strozzi", a view of the bay of Naples depicting the return of the Aragonese fleet after the Battle of Ischia, has sometimes been attributed to his hand. Rosselli's pictorial engravings were heavily influenced by the paintings of fellow Florentine Sandro [[Botticelli]]. Among his best known works is a series of fifteen engravings of the Life of the Virgin and Christ. |
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In the 1480s, Rosselli left his wife and children with his half-brother Cosimo and left Florence for Hungary, where he made maps for the Hungarian king. Upon returning to Florence, he started a shop to sell his engravings.¹ . Rosselli may have been the engraver for some of the 'new' maps in editions of Ptolemy's [[Geographia]] published in Florence in 1480-82.² |
In the 1480s, Rosselli left his wife and children with his half-brother Cosimo and left Florence for Hungary, where he made maps for the Hungarian king. Upon returning to Florence, he started a shop to sell his engravings.¹ . Rosselli may have been the engraver for some of the 'new' maps in editions of Ptolemy's [[Geographia]] published in Florence in 1480-82.² |
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His shop also sold maps, and was the first known shop to market maps commercially. His two most famous maps date from 1506 and 1508. The 1506 Contarini-Rosselli map was the first printed map showing the New World. Rosselli's 1508 world map was the first map drawn on an oval projection. This map may have been sold in his shop.³ His 1508 map also depicted [[Antarctica|Antarctic continent]], similar to the [[Piri Reis map]] of 1513. However, the continent was not discovered until the early 1800s. Yet classical traditions dictated that some large landmass had to exist in the southern hemisphere to balance the land in the northern hemisphere. |
His shop also sold maps, and was the first known shop to market maps commercially. His two most famous maps date from 1506 and 1508. The 1506 Contarini-Rosselli map was the first printed map showing the New World. Rosselli's 1508 world map was the first map drawn on an oval projection. This map may have been sold in his shop.³ His 1508 map also depicted the a Southern Continent where [[Antarctica|Antarctic continent]] is, vaguely similar in general position to the Southern Continent on the [[Piri Reis map]] of 1513, the Lopo Homem map of c. 1519, the Juan Vespucci map of 1524, and other early maps. However, the Antarctic continent was not discovered until the early 1800s. Yet classical traditions dictated that some large landmass had to exist in the southern hemisphere to balance the land in the northern hemisphere. |
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Francesco's half-brother [[Cosimo Rosselli]] was also an artist. With [[Botticelli]], [[Perugino]], [[Ghirlandaio]] and [[Signorelli]], Cosimo was commissioned by [[Pope Sixtus IV]] to decorate the walls of the [[Sistine Chapel]] in Rome, just a few years before [[Michelangelo]]'s painting of the chapel ceiling.<sup>4</sup> |
Francesco's half-brother [[Cosimo Rosselli]] was also an artist. With [[Botticelli]], [[Perugino]], [[Ghirlandaio]] and [[Signorelli]], Cosimo was commissioned by [[Pope Sixtus IV]] to decorate the walls of the [[Sistine Chapel]] in Rome, just a few years before [[Michelangelo]]'s painting of the chapel ceiling.<sup>4</sup> |
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Revision as of 07:20, 16 June 2007
Francesco Rosselli (b. 1445, Florence, d. before 1513, Florence) was an Italian miniature painter, engraver and cartographer. He created many important maps, including one of the first maps of the world to depict the Americas after Christopher Columbus' voyages. Historian James Williamson says this map should be dated 1506, but some apparently give it the incorrect date 1507 or 1508.
Rosselli painted miniatures in several of the most lavish manuscripts produced in fifteenth-century Florence including copies of Ptolemy's Geographia and liturgical works for the city's cathedral. He may also have produced panel paintings. The so-called "Tavola Strozzi", a view of the bay of Naples depicting the return of the Aragonese fleet after the Battle of Ischia, has sometimes been attributed to his hand. Rosselli's pictorial engravings were heavily influenced by the paintings of fellow Florentine Sandro Botticelli. Among his best known works is a series of fifteen engravings of the Life of the Virgin and Christ.
In the 1480s, Rosselli left his wife and children with his half-brother Cosimo and left Florence for Hungary, where he made maps for the Hungarian king. Upon returning to Florence, he started a shop to sell his engravings.¹ . Rosselli may have been the engraver for some of the 'new' maps in editions of Ptolemy's Geographia published in Florence in 1480-82.²
His shop also sold maps, and was the first known shop to market maps commercially. His two most famous maps date from 1506 and 1508. The 1506 Contarini-Rosselli map was the first printed map showing the New World. Rosselli's 1508 world map was the first map drawn on an oval projection. This map may have been sold in his shop.³ His 1508 map also depicted the a Southern Continent where Antarctic continent is, vaguely similar in general position to the Southern Continent on the Piri Reis map of 1513, the Lopo Homem map of c. 1519, the Juan Vespucci map of 1524, and other early maps. However, the Antarctic continent was not discovered until the early 1800s. Yet classical traditions dictated that some large landmass had to exist in the southern hemisphere to balance the land in the northern hemisphere.
Francesco's half-brother Cosimo Rosselli was also an artist. With Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio and Signorelli, Cosimo was commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV to decorate the walls of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, just a few years before Michelangelo's painting of the chapel ceiling.4
References
¹Jay A. Levenson, Konrad Oberuber, and Jacquelyn L. Sheehan, Early Italian Engravings from the National Gallery of Art (Washington DC, National Gallery of Art, 1973), pp. 47-62.
²Boorsch, Suzanne. "The Case for Francesco Rosselli as the Engraver of Berlinghieri’s Geographia,” Imago Mundi, vol. 56, no. 2, 2004, pp. 152-69.
³Roberto Almagià, “On the Cartographic Work of Francesco Rosselli,” Imago Mundi, vol. 8, 1951, pp. 27-34.
4Arthur R. Blumenthal, Cosimo Rosselli, Painter of the Sistine Chapel, exhibition catalog (Winter Park, Florida, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Rolllins College, 2001).