Portolan Chart of the Mediterranean (4) — Antique Nautical Chart Print

A finished portolan chart was the product of a demanding craft tradition passed down through apprenticeship, with each chartmaker copying and refining the coastal outlines inherited from earlier generations rather than resurveying the coast from scratch. Colored inks distinguished different categories of information: red for major ports and hazards, black for lesser detail, and gold leaf reserved for the compass roses and royal insignia that decorated the finest commissions. Because these were expensive, handmade objects, surviving portolan charts today offer a rare direct link to the working tools of Renaissance-era Mediterranean sailors.

Materials & origin

• Material: 200 gsm gallery-grade, acid-free fine-art paper (FSC-certified).
• Print: Archival giclée, 12-colour printing, smooth matte finish for glare-free display.
• Artwork: Restored from a public-domain original; colour and detail digitally cleaned for large-format print.
• Origin: Made on demand and shipped from the print hub nearest you, cutting transit and waste.
• Framing: Sold unframed; ships rolled in a protective tube.