Cornelis Mortier – North and South Pole, 1720 Antique world maps HQ

The artwork presents a complex visual narrative blending cartography and allegorical representation. The lower portion is dominated by a circular map depicting the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Concentric lines, marked with geographical names in French, delineate latitudes and longitudes, establishing a framework of scientific observation. The landmasses are rendered in muted earth tones, suggesting an incomplete understanding of their physical form – they appear as speculative projections rather than accurate depictions.
Above this cartographic base floats a dramatic scene populated by allegorical figures. These individuals, seemingly deities or personifications, are arranged around a swirling vortex of clouds and light. They exhibit a range of poses: some gesture towards the heavens, others hold aloft symbolic objects like flags or spears. The color palette here is considerably more vibrant, utilizing reds, blues, and golds to create a sense of dynamism and otherworldly grandeur.
The figures’ nudity contributes to their allegorical nature, stripping them of individual identity and emphasizing their roles as representations of abstract concepts – perhaps dominion over the polar regions, exploration, or even divine power. The swirling vortex itself could symbolize the unknown, the mysteries surrounding the poles that captivated European imagination in the early eighteenth century.
The juxtaposition of the precise cartographic rendering below with the fantastical figures above creates a deliberate tension. It suggests a desire to reconcile scientific inquiry with mythological narratives – a common characteristic of the period’s approach to exploration and knowledge acquisition. The map, representing rational understanding, is visually elevated by the allegorical scene, implying that true comprehension of these remote regions requires more than just geographical data; it demands an acknowledgement of the symbolic and spiritual dimensions associated with them.
The French text at the top reinforces this cultural context, indicating a European perspective on these distant lands. The overall effect is one of ambitious exploration intertwined with a sense of awe and reverence for the unknown.