Terra Australis Collection

Oronce Fines world map, 1531
Oronce Fines world map. Map of the worlds northern and southern hemispheres by the French mathematician and cartographer Oronce Fine (1494-1555)

16th century world map
World map, published around 1565 in Venice, Italy, by Italian mapmaker Ferando Bertelli. The title of the map: Universale Descrittione di Tutta la Terra Conosciuta Fin Qui

17th century map of the New World

America sive India Nova, from Atlas cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi et
MAE177373 America sive India Nova, from Atlas cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi et fabricati figura, published 1595 (coloured engraving) by Mercator

Maris Pacifici (From Theatrum orbis terrarum), 1595. Artist: Ortelius, Abraham (1527-1598)
Maris Pacifici (From Theatrum orbis terrarum), 1595. From a private collection

Tractus australior Americae Meridionalis, a Rio de la Plata per Fretum Magellanicum ad Toraltum (deta Artist: Wit)
Tractus australior Americae Meridionalis, a Rio de la Plata per Fretum Magellanicum ad Toraltum (detail), 1675. From a private collection

Chica sive Patagonica et Australis Terra (From Geographisches Handtbuch), 1600. Artist: Quad, Matthias (1557-1613)
Chica sive Patagonica et Australis Terra (From Geographisches Handtbuch), 1600. From a private collection

Freti Magellanici ac novi freti vulgo Le Maire exactissima delineatio, c. 1630. Artist: Hondius, Jodocus (1563-1612)
Freti Magellanici ac novi freti vulgo Le Maire exactissima delineatio, c.1630. From a private collection

QUEIROS: RELATION. Italian edition of Pedro Fernandez de Queiros eighth Memorial to Philip III of Spain, describing his voyages of 1606 to the lands to Terra Australis in the South Pacific

Orteliuss map of The New World, 1603
Orteliuss map of The New World. This map of the Americas is from the 1603 edition of Theatrum orbis terrarum (Theatre of the World)

QUEIROS: VOYAGES, 1613. Woodcut from an edition of Pedro Fernandez de Queiros travel writing published at Leipzig, 1613

WORLD MAP, 1529. The Western Hemisphere in the world map by Franciscus Monachus, from De orbis situ, Antwerp, 1529. North America is misrepresented as an extension of Asia

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"Terra Australis: Unveiling the Mysteries of the Southern Land" In the 16th century, explorers and cartographers embarked on a quest to map the world, uncovering new lands and expanding our understanding of Earth. One such discovery was Terra Australis, a mythical continent believed to exist in the southern hemisphere. The enigma surrounding this uncharted territory captivated minds and inspired numerous maps. Oronce Fine's intricate world map from 1531 showcased his interpretation of Terra Australis, depicting it as an expansive landmass stretching across vast oceans. This imaginative representation fueled curiosity about what lay beyond known shores. The 17th-century map of the New World by Abraham Ortelius presented America sive India Nova, revealing snippets of information about Terra Australis alongside other newly discovered regions. It served as a testament to ongoing exploration efforts during that era. Frederik de Wit's Tractus australior Americae Meridionalis depicted a route from Rio de la Plata through Magellan Strait to Toraltum, providing insights into potential connections between South America and Terra Australis. Matthias Quad's Chica sive Patagonica et Australis Terra offered glimpses into both Patagonia and Australia, shedding light on these mysterious lands with detailed illustrations capturing their unique features. Jodocus Hondius' Freti Magellanici ac novi freti vulgo Le Maire exactissima delineatio provided an accurate depiction of Magellan Strait and Le Maire Strait – crucial passageways for early explorers venturing towards Terra Australis. Pedro Fernandez de Queiros' works further contributed to our knowledge about this elusive landmass. His Relation memorialized his encounters with unknown territories while his Voyages chronicled his expeditions in search of Terra Australis. These accounts were widely disseminated through Italian editions, leaving lasting impressions on future generations.