Mapping the world for the Emperor of China: A copy of Father Ferdinand Verbiest's 'Kunyu Quantu', 1674, in the Hunterian Museum, the University of Glasgow

Trainor, Natasha (2008) Mapping the world for the Emperor of China: A copy of Father Ferdinand Verbiest's 'Kunyu Quantu', 1674, in the Hunterian Museum, the University of Glasgow. MLitt(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis analyses both the process that was involved in creating Father Ferdinand Verbiest's Kunyu Quantu, 1674, and the finished product. The process is examined through looking into a myriad of differing aspects linked to this map. Major themes are the history of mapping in China, the Jesuits and Verbiest. The iconographic significance and provenance of the Map are explored, in addition to contemporary geographical and religious issues and ideas of the natural world. Chapter one examines how China and the West influenced the creation of Father Ferdinand Verbiest's Kunyu Quantu, of 1674 and provides an examination of why maps in general were created. Chapter two explores Father Ferdinand Verbiest and the Jesuits. Chapter Three discusses the various factors concerned with Verbiest's role in importing geographical science to China. The comparison between what was taking place during the Renaissance in Europe and what was happening in China especially during the seventeenth century is examined. Chapter four analyses the Kunyu Quantu's physical description and its precursors. Chapter five examines the source for the majority of the images that can be found within the confines of Verbiest's Kunyu Quantu and how it came to arrive within the collection of Dr. William Hunter.

• Item Type: Thesis (MLitt(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Maps, cartography, China, Ferdinand Verbiest.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > History of Art
• Supervisor's Name: Pearce, Professor Nick
• Date of Award: 2008
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2008-71914
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 17 May 2019 09:31
• Last Modified: 09 Jul 2021 13:39
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.71914
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71914