In the late 1500s and early 1600s, a bevy of artistic allegorical depictions of America were produced in Europe. Many of the engravings that came out of this period were to commemorate the centennial of the discovery of America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus. This piece, originally printed by Jan van der Straet in 1600 and later engraved by Phillippe Galle around 1620, is a fascinating work that depicts America as an integral part of the Renaissance. It is one of the first artistic depictions of America as more than merely a physical fixture on the map. Indeed, America is seen here as a symbol of a great advancement, a progression, a remaking of the world, a great leap forward in human civilization.
This particular piece, called Nova Reperta (Lat., “New Inventions”), served as the frontispiece for a bound collection of engravings celebrating several inventions and discoveries of the Renaissance. Jan van der Straet (1523-1605) produced this piece, along with nineteen others that served a didactic purpose, educating viewers about the death of the medieval world and the birth of a new world, filled with immeasurable promise.
Let’s notice a few details in the piece. Starting at the upper left and moving across to the upper right, you will see a young woman pointing to a map of America.
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