Portrait of Pedro de Medina

Pedro de Medina was a Spanish mathematician, cartographer, and astronomer. In 1545, he wrote one of the most important works in the history of sailing: The Art of Navigation (El Arte de Navegar).

In Seville, Medina was an instructor for captains and navigators who were to be deployed to conquer the Indies. He worked in the Casa de Contratación (House of Commerce), where he dealt with the sailors' poor knowledge, leading him to write The Art of Navigation. It was published in eight volumes, correcting the errors made by Diego Gutiérrez, who was then a cosmographer at the Casa de Contratación and a cartographer.

This work was painted by Julio García Condoy, a picture restorer at the Naval Museum who created a number of portraits of sailors and illustrious figures to fill the gaps in the museum's collection.