See examples of early maps.
Wine bowl with female lute player, Unknown, -1400/-1300, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
It is said that Native Americans were the first to create Maps. However, here is a bowl from Egypt that has symbols like those found on a map.
Map of World, Unknown, Egypt, 15th Century, 1400/1500, From the collection of: The Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar
This is a map made by an unknown cartographer from Egypt.
Map of the World, German 15th Century, c. 1480, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
This map was made in Germany around the same date as the previous map you saw.
Landing of Christopher Columbus, David Edwin, 1800, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Here you see Christopher Columbus landing in the Caribbean Islands. Do we wear this style of clothing now?
Cristopher Columbus at the Court of the Catholic Monarchs, Juan Cordero, 1850, From the collection of: Museo Nacional de Arte
This painting shows Christopher Columbus presenting Native Americans to the King and Queen of Spain. People from Europe and Native Americans had never met before.
India and East Asia, Lorenz Fries, Mid 16th Century, From the collection of: Kalakriti Archives
Maps of the Earth began to change after Columbus' voyage to North America.
Americae sive novi orbis, nova descriptio, Abraham Ortelius, 1579/1579, From the collection of: McCord Stewart Museum
Americæ/ pars, Nunc Virginia/ dicta, primum ab Anglis..., Theodore De Bry, 1590 - 1590, From the collection of: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Virginia, Discovered and Discribed by Captain John Smith, John Smith, 1580/1631, From the collection of: The Valentine
Oval World Map, Piri Reis, late 11th century AH/AD 17th century-early 12th century AH/AD 18th century (Ottoman), From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
Four Large Cities in the World / Map of the World, Unknown Japanese Painter, Early 17th century, From the collection of: Kobe City Museum
This map was painted by a Japanese artist and represents 4 large cities. Zoom in on the cities and notice the similarities and differences.
Pantograph, Benjamin Martin, 1756 - 1776, From the collection of: Australian National Maritime Museum
A pantograph [pan - tuh -graf] is a tool used by cartographers to draw and reproduce maps.
The Washington Family, Edward Savage, 1789-1796, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
This is a painting of President George Washington with his family. Notice how the clothing has changed. Did you see the globe?
Map of Both Hemispheres of Earth (front), Kim Jeong-ho, 1760/1866, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
Map of Both Hemispheres of Earth (back), Kim Jeong-ho, 1760/1866, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
Reading a Letter from the Camp, Angelo Trezzini, 1867/1867, From the collection of: Fondazione Cariplo
This painting is from 1867. Did the style of clothing change once again? Does that help you understand that time has passed?
1871-06, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Cameras and photographs were invented in 1827. This photograph was taken in 1871. What do you see?
1873, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Which continent is shown?
1880, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Georges Seurat, 1884-1886, From the collection of: The Art Institute of Chicago
This painting was made in 1884 by Georges Seurat [sir- awt] titled A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. In English it means A Sunday Around the Great Pond. What do you notice about the style of clothing in 1884?
Helicopter Mapping Of Alaska, George Silk, 1952-08, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Here is a photograph of cartographers working to map Alaska in 1954. How can you tell that this is a more recent image?
Helicopter Mapping Of Alaska, George Silk, 1952-08, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Helicopter Mapping Of Alaska, George Silk, 1952-08, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
1992, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The colors you see represent the Oceans. The black represents the continents.
1992-11, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
2000-07-31, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
2003, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Metro Map, Saaret Yoseph, 2010, From the collection of: The Red Line D.C. Project
You are looking at a map of the Metro in New York. Zoom in to see the Legend on the top right. Maps are made to represent many things. Can you make a map?
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
LIFE Photo Collection
The Walters Art Museum
Museo Nacional de Arte
Kalakriti Archives
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Kobe City Museum
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
McCord Stewart Museum
The Valentine
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
The Red Line D.C. Project
The Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar
Fondazione Cariplo
Korea Data Agency
Australian National Maritime Museum