1500s Collection (#8)

Ptolemys map of Britain, 16th century
Ptolemys map of Britain. This map of the British Isles is from an edition of Ptolemys Geographia that was published in 1513 by German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller (c.1470-1520)

Thomas Hobbes, caricature
Thomas Hobbes. Caricature of the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679). Hobbes led a sheltered and long life, mostly as secretary and teacher to the family of Lord Cavendish

Spanish colonial days in St. Augustine, Florida
Life in Saint Augustine, Florida, when part of New Spain. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

French colonists building a ship, South Carolina, 1560s
Shipbuilding at Archers Creek, South Carolina, by French colonists left behind by Ribault, 1562. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Medieval astronomers studying the sky
Astronomers studying the planetary systems, the sun, moon, and stars. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of a 1537 edition of Boethius

Roman Catholic Pope, 1500s - 1600s
Roman Catholic Pope in formal attire (center) and in house vestments (right), Swiss Guard at left, 1500s-1600s Antique hand-colored print

Ulrich Zwingli
Swiss religious reformer Ulrich Zwingli. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a portrait

Martin Luther writing
Martin Luther at his desk. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Luther at the Diet of Worms, 1521
Martin Luther on trial before Cardinal Cajetanus, Diet of Worms, 1521. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Edward VI of England
King of England Edward VI confirming his fathers gift of Christs Hospital to the city of London. Lithograph reproduction of a 16th-century illustration

Lady Jane Grey reading Plato
Roger Ascham calling on Lady Jane Grey at Bradgate, 1550. Hand-colored engraving of an illustration

Francis II and Elizabeth of Valois
Francis II as King of France (left), as Dauphin (right); and his sister, Elizabeth de Valois, wife of Spanish King Phillip II (Felipe II). Antique hand-colored print

Roanoke Colony settlers arrive, 1587
English colonists landing on Roanoke Island, 1587. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Native American ceremony in early New England
New England Native Americans throwing valuables into a bonfire. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

NATI2A-00031
Native Americans practice running, shooting arrows, and throwing ball, Florida, 1500s. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of a DeBrfy engraving of a LeMoyne illustration

PNAT2A-00017
Hiawatha aiming his arrow at a sea-dragon. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Leonardo da Vinci sketch for a siege machine
Military machine for firing arrows with a crossbow, designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Woodcut with a watercolor wash

Leonardo da Vinci drawing of a canal dredge
Leonardo da Vincis drawing of a device for excavating a canal. Woodcut reproduction with a watercolor wash

Raphael
Portrait of artist Raphael. Digitally colored engraving of a painting

Michelangelo
Portrait of artist Michelangelo. Digitally colored 19th-century photograph of a portrait

Turkish defeat in the Battle of Lepanto, 1571
Defeat of the Turkish fleet by the Holy League under Don Juan of Austria, Battle of Lepanto, 1571. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Virginia map, 1588
Thomas Harriots map of Virginia, 1588. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of a document

Rabelais
Portrait of Francois Rabelais. Hand-colored reproduction of a portrait

Europe in the mid-1500s
Map of Europe during the early Protestant Reformation. Printed color lithograph of a 19th-century illustration

Theatrical performance in the time of Shakespeare
View of the old stage and balcony in an Elizabethan theater. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of an earlier illustration

Mystery play performed in medieval Coventry, England
Coventry Mystery performance in the 1400s or 1500s, England. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of an earlier illustration

Queen Elizabeth enjoying a play by Shakespeare
One of Shakespeares plays acted before Queen Elizabeth. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Pizarro capturing Inca stronghold in Peru, 1533
Pizarros assault on the Inca fortress of Sacsahuaman, Peru, 1533. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

EXPL2A-00112
Spanish priests destroying Aztec idols in Mexico. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Spanish attacked by Aztec warriors during La Noche Triste
La Noche Triste. when Aztec soldiers overwhelmed Cortess forces in Tenochtitlan. Printed color lithograph of a 19th-century painting by O. Graeff

EXPL2A-00177
Inca city of Cusco, Peru, in 1556, after the Spanish conquest. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of a 16th century illustration

Brazilian cannibalism, 1500s
Natives eating and cooking human flesh, northern Brazil, circa 1500. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of a 16th-century illustration

Incas battling Spanish conquistadors in Peru
Manco Inca Yupanqui leads attack on the Spanish in Cusco, Peru, 1536. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a 19th-century illustration

Church in Mexico City founded by Cortes
Church and Hospital of Jesus, founded by Cortes in Mexico City, 1500s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

EXPL2A-00294
Tenochtitlan, capital city of Aztec Mexico, an Island connected by causeways to land, 1520s. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of an early Spanish colonial map

Writing with a quill pen
Scholar using a quill pen. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

German couple of the 1500s
German citizens of the late 16th century. Antique hand-colored print

Spanish nobility of the 1500s
Spanish lord and lady of the 16th century. Antique hand-colored print

EXPL2A-00173
Spanish conquistador on a horse with foal - the origin of the horse in colonial America. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century Frederic Remington illustration

DeSoto expedition retreating down the Mississippi, 1542
Spaniards descending Mississippi River after De Sotos death, 1542. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Balboa discovering the Pacific, 1513
Spanish expedition under Balboa discovering the Pacific Ocean, 1513. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

EXPL2A-00226
Spanish ships of Hernando Cortes sailing to Mexico, 1519. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

EXPL2A-00245
Spanish conquistador in armor on horseback, New Spain, 1500s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

EXPL2A-00268
Magellans ships at Mactan, an island in the Philippines, where Magellan was killed in a battle with natives, 1521. Hand-colored 19th-century halftone reproduction of a 16th-century engraving

Map of DeSotos route, 1540s
De Soto expeditions route across southeast North America, 1539-1542. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Great voyages of the age of exploration
Map of great voyages from 1492 to 1580. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Mariana Islands in the Pacific discovered by Magellan, 1521
The Ladrones, later called the Marianas, and a native outrigger drawn by Pigafetta on the Magellan expedition, 1521. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of a 16th-century illustration

Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada
Conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada portrait. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of an earlier illustration

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The 1500s were a time of exploration, innovation, and cultural transformation. In the realm of art and science, geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci left their mark with groundbreaking works such as "Skull anatomy, " revealing the intricacies of human anatomy. Meanwhile, cartographers like Gerardus Mercator (GGBR2A-00076) created maps that expanded our understanding of the world. Orteliuss map of the Ottoman Empire in 1570 showcased the vast territories under its rule, while Durer's world map from 1515 provided a glimpse into how people perceived Earth at that time. These maps painted a picture of an ever-expanding global landscape. In Florence during this era, architects and urban planners crafted detailed plans for cities like never before seen. The 16th Century Plan of Florence exemplified this meticulous approach to city design. Oronce Fine's world map from 1531 furthered geographical knowledge by incorporating new discoveries made during expeditions around the globe. It was through these maps that Europeans began to comprehend just how vast our planet truly is. The use of firearms also revolutionized warfare during this period. Arquebusses became prevalent on battlefields across Europe in the 16th century, changing military tactics forever. Religion played a significant role in shaping society during this time as well. Figures like John Calvin emerged as influential theologians whose ideas would have lasting impacts on Protestantism and beyond. Maps continued to evolve throughout the century; one notable example being Map of Palestine in 1588 which depicted important biblical sites within its borders. Similarly, a detailed map showcasing British Isles shed light on England's growing influence over neighboring lands. By the turn of the century, Europe had undergone immense changes politically and culturally - reflected by Map of Europe from 1600 which captured shifting borders and emerging nation-states.