Age Of Exploration Collection

NAVIGATION BY STARS, 1575. Sailors navigating by stars at night. Woodcut from Andre Thevets La cosmographie universelle, Paris, 1575

AZORES, 1528. Map of the Azores Islands. Woodcut from Benedetto Bordones Isolario, Venice, 1528

CABRAL: FLEET, 1500. Six of the 13 Portuguese ships in Pedro Alvares Cabrals expedition to India in 1500, which resulted in the discoveries of Brazil and Madagascar

Amerigo Vespucci
Vespucci (1454-1512) was an Italian explorer, financier, navigator, and cartographer who was born in the Republic of Florence

David Livingstone (1813-1873) was a Scottish missionary and explorer in Africa. He discovered Victoria Falls in 1855

Captain wilkes discovers the Antarctic Continent
This 1899 image shows Captain Wilkes discovering the Antarctic continent

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Vasco da Gama on board ship, late 15th-early 16th century, (2023)

Columbus before Isabella (oil on canvas)
3940965 Columbus before Isabella (oil on canvas) by Laurens, Jean Paul (1838-1921); 162.7 x 130.8 cm; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, CT

Columbus Discovers the Shores of America, 1846 (oil on canvas)
5615433 Columbus Discovers the Shores of America, 1846 (oil on canvas) by Ruben, Christian (1805-75); 145x190 cm; Narodni Galerie, Prague, Czech Republic; German, out of copyright

The Virgin of the Navigators (centre panel), 1531-36 (oil on panel)
517534 The Virgin of the Navigators (centre panel), 1531-36 (oil on panel) by Fernandez, Alejo (1475-1543); Reales Alcazares, Seville

Spanish Caravel (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel)
1087028 Spanish Caravel (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel) by Fernandez, Alejo (1475-1543); Reales Alcazares, Seville

First Landing of Columbus on the Shores of the New World, 1892 (colour lithograph)
3704176 First Landing of Columbus on the Shores of the New World, 1892 (colour lithograph) by Currier, N. (1813-88) and Ives, J.M

The Virgin of the Navigators, 1505-36 (oil on panel)
JLJ4660069 The Virgin of the Navigators, 1505-36 (oil on panel) by Fernandez, Alejo (1475-1543); Alcazar, Segovia

Spanish Caravel (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel)
1087060 Spanish Caravel (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel) by Fernandez, Alejo (1475-1543); Reales Alcazares, Seville

Spanish Caravel (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel)
JLJ4660058 Spanish Caravel (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel) by Fernandez, Alejo (1475-1543); Alcazar, Segovia

St Telmo (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel)
517535 St Telmo (detail from Virgin of the Navigators), 1531-36 (oil on panel) by Fernandez, Alejo (1475-1543); Reales Alcazares, Seville

DE SOTO & ISABELLA, 1539. Hernando de Soto taking leave of his wife, Isabella, in Havana, Cuba, 1539, before sailing for Florida. Lithograph, 1904, after an illustration by Alfred Russell

QUEIROS: RELATION. Italian edition of Pedro Fernandez de Queiros eighth Memorial to Philip III of Spain, describing his voyages of 1606 to the lands to Terra Australis in the South Pacific

VASCO NUNEZ de BALBOA (1475-1519). Spanish explorer. Balboas first sight of the Pacific Ocean in 1513. Photogravure after a painting by Henri Felix Emmanuel Philippoteaux

STRAITS OF MAGELLAN. Antonio Pigafettas map of the Straits of Magellan showing north at the bottom. Woodcut from Carlo Amorettis Premier Autour du Monde par Pigafetta, 1801

Plan of Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese at Mombasa
KENYA: FORT JESUS, 1610. Plan of Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese at Mombasa, Kenya, in 1593, from a Portuguese atlas of 1610

Columbus arrives in the Americas, 1492 C016 / 4494
Columbus arrives in the Americas. 19th-century artwork of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506, kneeling) taking possession of the new country he had discovered on 12 October 1492

Vasco da Gama, Portuguese explorer
Vasco da Gama (1460-1524), Portuguese explorer. In 1497, Da Gama was sent by Prince Manuel of Portugal to find a trade route to India

FRANCISCO DE ORELLANA (c1500-1546). Spanish soldier and explorer. Woodcut, 16th century

LISBON, 1548. A view of Lisbon, Portugal. Woodcut, Spanish, 1548

MARINERS SIGHTING, 1557. Mariners sighting on a star with a cross-staff (left) and on the sun with an astrolabe. German woodcut, 1557

FRANCISCO PIZARRO (c1475-1541). Spanish explorer and conqueror of Peru. Copper engraving, Dutch, 17th century

Caffre People, illustration from India Orientalis, published 1598 (engraving)
Ma448239 Caffre People, illustration from India Orientalis, published 1598 (engraving) by Bry

Hernan Cortes, engraved by William Holl, c. 1830s (engraving)
XJF448222 Hernan Cortes, engraved by William Holl, c.1830s (engraving) by Italian School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hernan Cortes de Monroy y Pizarro)

Hernan Cortes, Marques del valle de Oaxaca (1485-1547) (engraving)
KW216311 Hernan Cortes, Marques del valle de Oaxaca (1485-1547) (engraving) by Spanish School

Hernan Cortes, Marques del valle de Oaxaca (1485-1547) from Gallery of Portraits
KW189073 Hernan Cortes, Marques del valle de Oaxaca (1485-1547) from Gallery of Portraits, published in 1833 (engraving) by English School

LISBON, 1548. A view of Lisbon, Portugal. Woodcut, Spanish, 1548

CORTES AND TLAXCALANS. Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortes receiving a beaded necklace from the Tlaxcalans as a sign of friendship, 1519. Drawing by the Dominican friar Diego Duran, late 16th century

QUEIROS: VOYAGES, 1613. Woodcut from an edition of Pedro Fernandez de Queiros travel writing published at Leipzig, 1613

VOYAGES, 1612. Title page of a work containing accounts of the voyages of Pedro Fernandes de Queiros and Henry Hudson. Published at Amsterdam, 1612

QUEIROS: VOYAGES, 1612. Woodcut from an edition of Pedro Fernandez de Queiros travel writing published at Amsterdam, 1612

AMERIGO VESPUCCI, 1505. Woodcut depicting one of Vespuccis voyages to the New World, from an account published at Florence, Italy, 1505

FRANCISCO DE ORELLANA (c1500-1546). Spanish soldier and explorer. Woodcut, 16th century

MANUEL I OF PORTUGAL (1469-1521). King of Portugal, 1495-1521. Illuminated Portuguese ms

PRESTER JOHN. Legendary medieval priest and monarch of Asia or Africa. Enthroned on a map of East Africa. Detail from 16th century atlas

SIR MARTIN FROBISHER (c1535-1594). English mariner. Steel engraving, 19th century, by Stephen Alonzo Schoff

PRINCE HENRY THE NAVIGATOR (1394-1460). Prince of Portugal and patron of exploration. Miniature from the Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea, by Gomes Eanes de Zurara, 1453

WILLIAM BARENTS (c1550-1597). Dutch navigator. Barents and explorer Jacob van Heemskerk, examining a globe and map. Engraving after a painting by Christoffel Bisschop, 1863

SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN (1567-1635). French explorer in North America. Champlain taking an observation with his astrolabe on the Ottawa River in 1613. Drawing by C.W. Jefferys

MEXICO: CORTES, 1519. Cortes is greeted by Montezumas messenger in 1519. Mexican Indian painting, 16th century

NAVIGATION BY STARS, 1575. Sailors navigating by stars at night. Woodcut from Andre Thevets La cosmographie universelle, Paris, 1575

MARINERS SIGHTING, 1557. Mariners sighting on a star with a cross-staff (left) and on the sun with an astrolabe. German woodcut, 1557

WESTERN HEMISPHERE, 1596. Theodore de Brys map of the western hemisphere, 1596, surrounded by the explorers (clockwise from top left) Columbus, Vespucci, Pizarro, and Magellan

AFRICA: MAP, 15th CENTURY. Tabula Nova Partis Africae. A late 15th century map of Africa from the Cosmographia of Ptolemy, showing the headlands and rivers with names given by Portuguese navigators

DURER: GLOBE, c1512-1515. The Eastern Hemisphere (left) of the Terrestrial Globe (Mappa mundi). Woodcut, c1512-1515, by Albrecht Durer for the Viennese cartographer Johannes Stabius

MAP: HISPANIOLA, 1528. Map of the island of Hispaniola, showing the Spanish settlement of La Isabella on the north coast. Woodcut from Benedetto Bordones Isolario, Venice, 1528

MAP: CANARY ISLANDS, 1528. Map of the Canary Islands, owned by Spain, off the northwest coast of Africa. Woodcut from Benedetto Bordones Isolario, Venice, 1528

GUIANA: GOLD CASTING, 1599. How the Native Americans of Guiana used to make gold castings

LANDING OF COLUMBUS, 1492. Native Americans flee in fear of Columbus. Woodcut from Giuliano Datis Isole Trovate Nuovamente Per El Re di Spagna, Florence, 1493

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (1451-1506). Italian navigator. Columbus departing from Palos, Spain, on 3 August 1492. Lithograph, American, 1893, after Victor A. Searles

Columbus returns to Spain, February 1493 C016 / 4495
Columbus returns to Spain. 19th-century artwork of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506, centre) at the court of Barcelona in February 1493 following his return from the New World

Columbus departs Spain, August 1492 C016 / 4493
Columbus departs Spain

Columbus at Spains royal court, May 1486
Columbus at Spains royal court

Arctic exploration debate, 1882 satire C016 / 2537
Arctic exploration debate. 19th-century satirical artwork titled Sport or Science?, showing a debate over polar explorers shown dying on ice floes. At upper left are James G

Spanish conqueror of Mexico. Oil painting by an unknown 16th century artist
HERNANDO CORTES (1485-1547). Spanish conqueror of Mexico. Oil painting by an unknown 16th century artist

CHINA: PAYING TRIBUTE, c1600. European envoys paying tribute to the Chinese emperor, c1600. Copper engraving, English, c1750

EXPLORER & MERMAIDS, c1591. A European explorer being visited by mermaids and other sea creatures. Color copper engraving by Theodore de Bry, c1591

DE BRY: MAGICIAN, 1591. Outina, king of Florida Native Americans, consulting with his magician before going into battle. Line engraving, 1591, by Theodor de Bry, after Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues

AFRICA: MARKET, 1505. Market scene in Sofala, the chief seaport of the kingdom of Monomotapa in southern Africa, in present-day Mozambique, 1505. Wood engraving, late 19th century

DE BRY: NEW WORLD. European explorers in the New World. Color line engraving by Theodor de Bry, 16th century

NATIVE AMERICAN CEREMONY. Florida Native Americans consecrating the skin of a stag to the sun, while French soldiers (right) observe the ceremony

KENYA: MOMBASA, 1572. View of the city and island of Mombasa, on the coast of Kenya. Line engraving, 1572, by Franz Hogenberg, from Civitates Orbis Terrarum

JUAN BAUTISTA PASTENE (1507-1580). Italian navigator and explorer. Copper engraving, Italian, 1648

HUDSON RIVER, 1609. Native inhabitants near the mouth of the Hudson River venture forward in canoes to greet the expedition of explorer Henry Hudson, at anchor aboard the Half Moon, September 1609

NEW WORLD: TOBACCO. Spanish explorers in the New World discover tobacco upon observing native Indians smoking the leaves in their pipes. Wood engraving, American, 1848

AMAZON EXPEDITION, 1541. Fracisco de Orellanas expedition down the Amazon River in search of gold, 1541. Wood engraving, American, 1848

FRENCH: STH. CAROLINA, 1562. Volunteers left by Jean Ribault in 1562 at Charlesfort (near present day Beaufort)
FRENCH: STH. CAROLINA, 1562. Volunteers left by Jean Ribault in 1562 at Charlesfort (near present day Beaufort, South Carolina) seek provisions from friendly Native Americans

JEAN RIBAULT: EXPEDITION 1562. The French exploring expedition of 1562 in present day South Carolina
JEAN RIBAULT:EXPEDITION 1562. The French exploring expedition of 1562 in present day South Carolina

BARTHOLOMEW GOSNOLD (1572-1607). English navigator. Gosnold trading with Indians on the New England coast, 1602. Line engraving, 1634

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE (1540-1596). English naval commander and navigator. Drakes first view of the Pacific Ocean, 1572. Wood engraving, 19th century

MAN OF WAR, c1565. Line engraving, c1565, by Frans Huys after Peter Bruegel the Elder

FRANCISCO de ORELLANA, 1541. Fracisco de Orellanas expedition down the Amazon River in search of gold, 1541. Wood engraving, American, 1848

MAN OF WAR, c1565. Colored line engraving, c1565, by Frans Huys after Peter Bruegel the Elder

Circumnavigators, 16th to 17th century
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Schouten rounding Cape Horn, 1616

Schouten exploring New Guinea, 1616

Sebastian Cabot, Italian explorer

Thomas James, English explorer

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EDITORS COMMENTS

"Embarking on a Celestial Journey: The Age of Exploration Unveiled" In the vast expanse of the night sky, sailors navigate their way through uncharted waters, guided by the brilliance of stars, and is 1575, and this celestial navigation technique becomes their compass in an era known as the Age of Exploration. Pedro Alvares Cabral leads a fleet of Portuguese ships in his daring expedition to unknown lands. In 1500, six out of thirteen vessels set sail under his command, braving treacherous seas and venturing into the great unknown. Maps come alive with Benedetto Bordone's woodcut depiction from 1528, showcasing the enchanting Azores Islands. These islands become pivotal points for future explorers seeking new routes to distant horizons. A pivotal moment unfolds as Christopher Columbus stands before Queen Isabella, passionately advocating for his audacious plan to reach Asia by sailing westward. This oil-on-canvas painting captures Columbus' determination that would forever change history. In 1492, Columbus discovers America's shores; an epic moment immortalized on canvas in vibrant colors and intricate details in "Columbus Discovers the Shores of America. " A testament to human curiosity and bravery that reshapes our understanding of geography forevermore. "The Virgin of Navigators, " painted between 1531-36 by Alejo Fernández depicts a central panel where navigators gather around Mary herself—a symbol representing divine guidance during perilous voyages across uncharted waters. Within its frame lies a detailed Spanish Caravel ship—an emblematic vessel that carried explorers towards untold possibilities. The first landing upon reaching this New World is commemorated in "First Landing of Columbus on the Shores of the New World. " Created in 1892 as a color lithograph, it encapsulates both excitement and apprehension felt by those who stepped foot onto unfamiliar terrain—ushering forth an era of discovery.