The Hall of Geographical Maps in Palazzo Vecchio: Caprice and Invention of Duke Cosimo

This illustrated edition shows the Earth as it was known in the sixteenth century through the maps and images of the Map Room in the Florentine Palazzo Vecchio. Different contributions (byMonica Consoli,Massimo Marcolin,Paola Pacetti, Valentina Zucchi) examine in particular the 53 panels depicting various countries as well as the large central globe. The volume refers to various selections of marvelous or peculiar images included in the room’s decorations, which together with the maps reflect the cosmological view of the world and its history during the time of Cosimo Medici I. «This invention and caprice was conceived by Duke Cosimo to bring together all of the things of Heaven and Earth, correctly and without error, and to be able to see and measure them, both separately and all together, for those who delight in studying this wonderful profession…»(Giorgio Vasari) 1st Italian Edition: June 2007 1st English Edition: December 2014