Reproductie van een titelpagina uit de atlas van Abraham Ortelius before 1880

This is a reproduction of a title page from Abraham Ortelius's atlas. It is an engraving of 335 by 231mm. The immediate impression is one of hierarchical organization, typical of early cartography and typography. Note the careful arrangement of text and decorative elements into distinct zones. The design is structured around a central, ornate frame, which contains an initial, all rendered in a striking red. This splash of colour serves as a focal point, drawing the eye into the atlas's contents. Surrounding this is dense black lettering, listing various names and titles that hint at the atlas's scope and the geographical knowledge it encapsulates. The layout reflects a commitment to both scientific accuracy and aesthetic pleasure. The piece destabilizes the boundary between art and science, using visual structure to communicate the atlas's navigational and cultural significance. This structured composition serves not just an aesthetic purpose but also as a means of organizing and presenting knowledge within a specific cultural and philosophical context. The atlas is more than a map; it's a worldview, carefully framed and presented.