THEATRUM ORBIS TERRARUM frontispiece. Translation of title: Theater of the world.
This beautiful decorated majestic picture appropriately prepares the reader for the contents in the atlas. Every figure has meaning. The female on the top, crowned and in her throne, is the empress of the world representing Europe with a septre in her right hand and a rudder in her left hand steering the world. The cross on the orb represents her Christian faith. The spheres represent the universe and the world. The woman directly below the universe sphere represents Asia and the women below the world represents Africa. The reclining figure on the foot "is believed to be the first allegorical representation of that continent." The severed head may suggest cannibalism, and the bust may represent Terra Incognita “virgin land” The fire below her suggests Magellan’s recording the fires as he rounded South America.
The translation of the bottom two lines states: "So now you can travel safely through all regions, between unknown tribes, through remote cities, rivers, and mountains, valleys and seas everywhere. Tour voyages will take you through the huge orbit of the world and all that it contains.” The exact designer and engraver is unknown.
Reference:
1. van den Broecke,Krogt & Meurer Edit. “Abraham Ortelius and the First Atlas” ISBN 90 6194 388 4
Curated text by Leonard Rothman December 2020.
Image from Leonard and Juliet Rothman Collection
