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Angelino Dulcert

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description Angelino Dulcert Overview

Angelino Dulcert was a 14th-century cartographer associated with the Majorcan school of mapmaking, a center of cartographic production on the island of Majorca. His 1339 portolan chart is the oldest known portolan — a navigational map based on compass directions and estimated distances — that is both signed and dated by its creator. Portolan charts like Dulcert's represent a significant advancement in medieval navigation, depicting coastlines with remarkable accuracy for their time.

help Angelino Dulcert FAQ

What is Angelino Dulcert's most famous surviving work?

Dulcert is best known for his 1339 portolan chart, which is the oldest known map to be both signed and precisely dated by its creator. This map is a masterpiece of the Majorcan school of cartography. It is currently preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Where was Angelino Dulcert active as a cartographer?

Dulcert worked in the 14th century on the island of Majorca, which was a major hub for mapmaking in the medieval Mediterranean. The Majorcan school was famous for combining practical navigation charts with richly decorated elements. Dulcert was heavily influenced by earlier Majorcan mapmakers.

What regions did Angelino Dulcert's 1339 chart cover?

The highly detailed chart covers the entire Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and parts of the Atlantic coast of Europe. Notably, it contains some of the earliest and most accurate depictions of the Canary Islands and the Azores. It was designed for practical maritime navigation.

Is there confusion about Angelino Dulcert's name?

Yes, there is a long-standing historical debate over whether 'Angelino Dulcert' is the same person as the famous Italian cartographer 'Angelino Dalorto.' Some historians believe Dalorto was an Italian who moved to Majorca and changed the spelling of his name to Dulcert. This reflects the blending of Italian and Majorcan mapping traditions.