Sea Map of Iehuda Ben Zara

Sea Map of Iehuda Ben Zara

The term “portolan” originally indicates a book with nautical information such as landmarks, light houses, currents, and harbor conditions. The employment of this term is first documented in the year 1285. From the 16th century on, the meaning of this term was expanded and henceforth included not only the text of the work, but also the accompanying sea charts. Today the specialized sea charts denote a specific type as “portolan charts.” An example of this is the Sea Map of Iehuda Ben Zara. The colorful and gold-adorned chart** is one of the most valuable maps in the Vatican Library today.

A Masterwork of Nautical Science

The Sea Map of Iehuda Ben Zaraarose ca. 1497 and is the largest portolan chart still in existence. The rare chart was painted with the utmost precision on the skin of a single animal. It shows the world, as it was known by the educated of the Renaissance. A primary feature is the visible network of lines that aided maneuvering by means of a compass. Dangerous passages were highlighted by the chart and commented on with inscriptions like “Pay Attention!” or “Eyes Open!” The sea map bespeaks the high aptitude of the master, who worked unbelievably accurately and realistically without the aids and appliances of our modern technology.

High Quality Embellishment

Iehuda Ben Zara is probably the most famous Egyptian geographer of the Renaissance. He made his sea map in Alexandria, a cultural stronghold of Egypt. He employed high quality colors and gold leaf. Embarkation points are registered in various colors. Thus the commercial significance of the respective ports was indicated. The cardinal directions are recorded with black ink. He differentiated between various wind currents, which were drawn with the help of green and red lines. As a result he retained a traditional coloration that remained unchanged for many centuries.