Atlas of Diego Homen

The atlas features seven vibrant, large sheets measuring 460 × 580 mm. showcasing brilliantly colored maps of the Mediterranean basin, the Atlantic coast of Europe, including the British Isles, and the Black Sea. Notably, the coastlines are adorned with coats of arms, painted banners, and bird’s-eye-view depictions of cities and mountains.

The maps reveal a meticulous attention to detail, displaying the coats of arms of Castile, Aragon, England, Scotland, and Ireland, illustrating the dominating dynasties. Islands are colored in red, blue or gold, complementing the naturalistic renderings of mountains in varied green and brown shades. Notably, compass roses embellished with gold leaf include a red cross marking Jerusalem’s eastward direction.

Homen’s Portuguese heritage is evident in the intricate design. Coastal place names, predominantly written in Gothic Textualis perpendicular to the coastline, are accentuated in red. Lisbon, likely Homen’s hometown, and Venice, possibly his residence during the atlas’s creation, are depicted with recognizable landmarks.

Discovered in Madrid in the 20th century and acquired by the Museo Naval in 1970, this atlas garnered immediate attention despite not reaching the extent of Homen’s other famed works like the Queen Mary Atlas or the Universal Atlas. Nevertheless, its seven maps and calendrical diagram stand as a testament to unparalleled artistry and the highest standards of mapmaking during the 16th century.

The facsimile edition of the Atlas of Diego Homen is complemented by a bookcase for its conservation and a complementary study book made by subject matter experts.

This facsimile is a unique edition of 995 books numbered and authenticated by notarial deed.