Historical Maps - Historical Atlas shows knowledge of the world
The Rostock Great Atlas lives up to its name. Two people with white gloves are needed to turn its pages, and more are required to carry it. Commissioned by Duke Christian I. Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1664, this cartographic work is 1.66 meters high and over two meters wide when open. "It gathers the knowledge of the world," says Steffen Stuth, Director of the Cultural Historical Museum.
The Atlas has been on display under glass in a vitrine for two and a half weeks. Due to conservation reasons, the book is rarely exhibited, last being shown ten years ago. There are only two other such large Atlases - the Klencke-Atlas of English King Charles II. in the British Library in London, and the Mauritius-Atlas of Elector Frederick William I. of Brandenburg in the Berlin State Library.
The Rostock Atlas, with its 32 intricately designed maps, is part of the collection of the Rostock University Library. It is stored in a darkened and fully climate-controlled room in the depot. Some paper pages weigh over a kilogram. Fortunately, the maps have been digitized, and museum visitors can enlarge them on a screen next to the original using any zoom.
The entire world is on display, not just cartographically. Maps from the 17th century locate cannibals in Brazil, as depicted on the maps. The Germany map is framed by the electors, and many pages contain ordering information texts in Latin or French. The best copper engravers and cartographers were at work for the expensive maps, according to the exhibition curators.
The Atlas can be seen until October 6 as part of the special exhibition "Christian I. Louis of Mecklenburg and a Picture of Power." The Duke had the collection commissioned for status reasons, to profile himself. "It could even be that he never threw a glance at the Atlas," says Stuth. The Duke ruled Mecklenburg from the carriage. The distance was closer to him than his homeland.
The Rostock Atlas is housed in the Rostock University Library, a part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the detailed maps, including one showing cannibals in Brazil, which are all preserved in this historical museum.
The Rostock Great Atlas, a geographical masterpiece, shares a similarity with the Klencke-Atlas and the Mauritius-Atlas, being among the largest Atlases in existence. These three Atlases are often displayed in renowned libraries such as the British Library and the Berlin State Library.
To truly appreciate the Rostock Atlas, museum goers can refer to the digital copies of the maps, providing a closer look at the intricate details of the time, while the original remains secure in its climate-controlled storage.
The exhibit "Christian I. Louis of Mecklenburg and a Picture of Power," showcases the Rostock Atlas, displaying the Duke's desire for status and power. However, according to Stuth, the Duke may have seldom had the chance to examine the Atlas, as his attention was usually focused on his royal duties.
