Johan Schöner

Johan, actually Johann, or Johannes depending on who you ask - was a German mathematician and astronomer. Johann was a very prominent mathematician and worked, among other things, as professor of mathematics in Nuremberg between 1526 and 1546.

Now you should be aware that mathematics in this case should be seen more as a generally learned man. Especially since the teachings and knowledge Johann Schöner practiced were quite far from what we would call mathematics today. Perhaps the Latin term Mathematicus is closer to hand.

Johann was namely; priest, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, cosmographer, cartographer and mathematician. He was also a gifted maker of scientific instruments, making globes and celestial globes.

The globe we have for sale is a reproduction of his very first known commercial globe. It was published in 1515 and is presented here lying flat. Each image depicts a hemisphere.

What's interesting, and what I think makes this globe particularly exciting, is that the southern hemisphere was fairly unexplored at this time. And although we can find both Africa, South America and India on the globe, much of the land is pure imagination. There are also small images of elephants, mermaids and other exotic creatures thought to live there.

It is precisely the image's beam shape that draws eyes to it. Whether you have both hemispheres on the wall or just one. And for those who dare, it is of course perfectly possible to dress an actual globe with these prints.

The paper selection is exclusive. Handmade paper from Lessebo. The print has Lessebo's watermark. But also thread marks. In the corners of the sheet there is an angle ruler. Which indicates that the paper is a so-called land surveying paper. They were produced in a larger format than usual, as the surveying department needed larger sheets. The cream-colored tone and texture of the paper together with the blackness of the letterpress make these prints stand out a little extra.

The prints can of course be ordered hand-colored according to the historical model. If interested, get in touch for a price proposal.