NEW YORK.- The exhibition Scandia: Important Early Maps of the Northern Regions and Maps and Charts of Norway from the Collection of William B. and Inger G. Ginsberg is at Scandinavia House through August 16, 2002, this exhibition of 76 early maps and sea charts presents some of the most significant maps in the history of printed cartography of Scandinavia and Norway. The exhibition also includes half a dozen historically important world maps that illustrate the context in which the mapping of Scandinavia took place.
From antiquity to the present day, cartography has both enhanced and reflected our understanding of the world. Ancient maps depict gods and monsters, celestial bodies, and earthly terrain, demonstrating not only man’s knowledge of natural boundaries, but his view of his place in the world. This exhibition celebrates the earliest maps of Scandinavia, from the first map of the area in 1482, to the sumptuous maps of the major cartographers of the 17th century, to the detailed maps made by 19th century Scandinavians. The diversity of source, purpose, and function of these maps, together with their elements of science and fantasy, decoration and utility, and history and propaganda, make them fascinating objects for study, appreciation, and enjoyment.
Edward P. Gallagher, President of The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF), says, "For more than 90 years, the ASF has been dedicated to increasing the understanding and appreciation of Scandinavia in the United States. The exhibition accomplishes this admirably while also providing a broad historical perspective and unique visual pleasures. We extend our hearty thanks to Inger and William Ginsberg for sharing their collection and vision with us."
While the maps in the exhibition contain elaborate decorative elements, they have been selected primarily for their importance in the history of cartography. They include maps printed from wood blocks and from copper plates, maps contained in books of maps (though not necessarily atlases in the modern sense of the word), maps published separately, and maps included as illustrations in books.
The first part of the exhibition, "Important Early Maps of the Northern Regions," covers the earliest period of printed maps of Scandinavia, specifically 1482 to 1601. The 43 maps comprising this section include the first printed map of Scandinavia (published in Ulm in 1482), maps of Scandinavia and Denmark from the first modern atlas (published by Abraham Ortelius in 1570), and rare world maps by Gastaldi (1546) and Rosaccio (a wall map first published in 1597). The second part is devoted to "Maps of Norway, 1602-1795" and "Sea Charts of Norway, 1585-1798." Among the 33 maps in this section are the first map showing Norway alone, the first map of Norway drawn and issued by a Norwegian cartographer, and a sea chart from the first official coastal survey of Norway.
