Abraham Ortelius

Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) was a Flemish cartographer and geographer, recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Ortelius was born in Antwerp, which was part of the Habsburg Netherlands during his lifetime. He began his career as a map-engraver and dealer in maps and books, but his enduring legacy stems from his work as a cartographer. In 1570, he published the first edition of his atlas, which consisted of 53 maps and was an immediate success. The atlas went through numerous editions and expansions during Ortelius's lifetime, reflecting the rapidly expanding geographical knowledge of the period.

Ortelius's work was notable for its accuracy and detail, and for the fact that it presented the world in a systematic and standardized way. He gathered maps from various sources, including the work of other cartographers such as Gerardus Mercator, and then re-engraved them on a uniform scale. Ortelius is also credited with proposing the theory of continental drift, a concept that would not be fully developed until the 20th century. In addition to his cartographic work, Ortelius was a member of the intellectual circle of Antwerp, which included the likes of Christophe Plantin and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

Ortelius's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum is considered a landmark in the history of cartography, and his methodology set the standard for later atlases. His work was not only significant for its contribution to the field of geography but also for its impact on the way people viewed the world, fostering a greater understanding of the Earth's vastness and diversity. Ortelius's atlas was so highly regarded that it was the first book to be granted a copyright by the King of Spain, ensuring that no copies could be made without permission. Ortelius's influence on the development of modern cartography and his role in the dissemination of geographical knowledge make him a central figure in the history of art.