G. Gastaldi

Giacomo (sometimes known as ‘Jacopo') Gastaldi lived between approximately 1500 and 1566. Born in Piedmont, he began his career as an engineer, though from about 1544 he turned his attention to map-making and he is now considered to be one of the most significant mapmakers of the early modern era. He issued an edition of Ptolemy's `Geography` in 1548 and was one of the first cartographers to give detailed attention to the New World. His edition of Ptolemy's classic work was also innovative, in that the size of the volume was reduced, making it the first `pocket` atlas to be published. Gastaldi also experimented with different media by using copperplate rather than woodblock to print his maps, which allowed the engraver to incorporate much finer detail in the finished product. Gastaldi worked for various publishers, but he also accepted the occasional private commission, one of which was a famous fresco of the maps of Asia and Africa on the walls at the Doge's Palace in Venice. His views of the Middle East and Asia are also particularly significant.