Happy Birthday, Vincenzo Coronelli

   Globe Master                                    

Have you ever wondered how globes are created?

 There have only been a few quality globe masters over the past centuries. Globes began by commission for the wealthier class in North and Central Europe. This art form was created in Italy and among the initiators was the talented Vincenzo Coronelli.

At 10 years old, Coronelli was trained as an apprentice to a xylographer, who created relief printings onto wood blocks. It was from here that he started learning techniques to begin his journey as a renowned globe designer.

Born August 16, 1650, over 363 years ago, we celebrate this amazing craftsman’s birthday.  His drive, skills and  momentous work are something to be recognized  A man of many trades, Coronelli accomplished a variety of projects including founding the first geological society in Venice known as Academia Cosmografica degli Argonauti. He also published volumes from Atlante Veneto, which were a part of his 140 published works.

However, Coronelli’s globe work was what really pushed the envelope. After creating globes for Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma, Louis XIV requested some of Coronelli’s globes be made for him. They became so popular in the upper class that many would use them in libraries for artistic flair.

Coronelli’s work on globes could be described as elegant and enthralling. All of his globes were composed of bent timber spindles. They went through cloaking processes with plaster and tough unfinished fabric. The finshing touch was a thin fabric that both provided texture and allowed the painting of the globes.

His work made a difference in the world and will carry on through his works and his preserved globes. A historic and all encompassing Renaissance man, we salute this folkhero.