Travelers' tales from
Christopher Columbus to little-known 18th century scientist and
voyager Sybilla Merian will illuminate the Galleria Estense in
Modena from September 21 to January 6.
Customs, trade, languages and landscapes discovered in Africa
and the Americas by explorers, merchants and pilgrims including
Jean de Mandeville, Giovan Battista Ramusio, Matteo Ricci,
Athanasius Kircher, Carsten Niebhur and Francesco Gemelli Careri
will be highlighted by the show.
The exhibit is split into six sections ranging from
expeditions to the Holy Land, exchanges with the Ottoman Empire,
the gradual discovery of Africa, Franciscan trips in the Far
East, trade and cultural ties with India and the discovery of
the Americas.
The latter section opens with an extremely rare first edition
of the letter Columbus wrote to the Spanish royals announcing he
discovery of the New World.
The there is the incredible voyage of Merian to Suriname to
explore the origin and reproduction of insects.
The show ends with a selection of works of art reflecting the
cultures, techniques and materials exchanged in the voyages of
exploration.
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