In the 16th century, the consciousness of the inhabitants of Europe continued to be inhabited by sea monsters living beyond the threshold of their cozy Old World.
September 20, 1519 - exactly 495 years ago - a flotilla of five ships led by Fernand Magellan left the Spanish port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. She was destined to make the first round the world trip in history. At this time, Europe was actively learning about the world around it, and this is what revolutionized the consciousness of the inhabitants of the Old World. Next, we will introduce readers to the monsters that, according to the Europeans of the 15th century (and earlier), inhabited the still unknown seas and oceans.
Sea Monster - Image taken from a 16th century map
Orsk monster, illustration for the monumental work of the court historiographer of the French kings André Theve "World cosmography …" (La Cosmographie universelle …). Paris, 1575
The Carta Marina, created by the Swedish church leader, Archbishop of Uppsala, diplomat, writer and cartographer Olaf Magnus, is one of the earliest and most reliable historical maps of Northern Europe. Venice, 1539
Promotional video:
Fragment of Carta Marina. Venice, 1539
Fragment of Carta Marina. Venice, 1539
The sea monster swallows Jonah. Fragment of the ambo. Italy, XI century
Engraving from the first zoological encyclopedia Historiae Animalium. The author of the five-volume tome is the Swiss naturalist, philologist and bibliographer Konrad Gesner. Zurich, 1551-1587.
Engraving from the first zoological encyclopedia Historiae Animalium. Zurich, 1551-1587
Engraving from the first zoological encyclopedia Historiae Animalium. Zurich, 1551-1587
Engraving from the first zoological encyclopedia Historiae Animalium. Zurich, 1551-1587
Crocodile from the Rochester Bestiary. England, XIII century
Image from a book by Adrian Kunen, Dutch fishmonger and amateur biologist. Holland, second half of the 16th century
Image from a book by Adrian Kunen, Dutch fishmonger and amateur biologist. Holland, second half of the 16th century
Image from a book by Adrian Kunen, Dutch fishmonger and amateur biologist. Holland, second half of the 16th century
Image from a book by Adrian Kunen, Dutch fishmonger and amateur biologist. Holland, second half of the 16th century