The success of practical mathematics in solving real-world problems; its utility in such important areas as navigation, war and commerce; and the prestige associated with this utility conferred upon cosmography a great measure of confidence and popularity. Here we can locate an important reason for Cosmographia's popular success. To own Cosmographia was to proclaim an association with the prestige and power of Renaissance cosmography.

This virtual exhibition of Apianus and Gemma's Cosmographia will illustrate some of these issues in three main sections. One section describes the extensive publishing history of Cosmographia. Another section concens the mathematical instruments illustrated by Apianus and Gemma and attempts to place them in an historical context, linking them to artifacts in the Museum of the History of Science's collections. A third section considers cartography in Cosmographia in the wider context of its rapid development in 16th century Europe. Also included in the exhibition are biographies of the authors, a listing of published editions, references for further reading and acknowledgements. We hope this exhibition will help illuminate the nature and growing importance of cosmography and practical mathematics in the 16th century. More importantly we hope this site will draw attention to a wonderful and important text in the history of science and publishing.

go back one page  Home