Stuurmanskunsthandboek: "De Zeevaert oft conste van ter zee te varen" c. 1580

This is the frontispiece to Petrus de Medina's "The Seafarer’s Art," a Dutch edition of a Spanish book on navigation. The book's purpose was to instruct sailors in the techniques of celestial navigation. The image's visual codes provide insight into the cultural and political landscape of the time. The detailed depiction of ships highlights the importance of maritime power in 16th-century Europe. The book itself, with its diagrams and instructions, represents an attempt to codify and disseminate knowledge, reflecting the rise of scientific inquiry. The book has been translated from Spanish, and it is printed in the Netherlands - this also indicates a growing network of international commerce and cultural exchange. To understand this image better, we can consult historical documents, such as navigational charts, ships' logs, and trade records. By placing the artwork within its social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its historical significance.