Nothing wrong … just life jiggers ups and downs … and though getting lighter, still is dark and glum – but perhaps I need to look beyond what's in front of me – deal with that – and check in on nature and its beauty.
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| Amsterdam in 1538 - depicted by Cornelis Anthonisz -a bird's-eye view |
The art of creating Panoramic Maps, or scenic representations, came into my brain-line via Heinrich C Berann, as I'd always been 'bemused' by the birds-eye views dating back to those of the 1500s – especially for someone like me, who cannot visualise a landscape.
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| A depiction of Cape Town, with its Table Mountain standing proud and tall |
Travelling – the touristy maps were often coloured, prettied up, sketchy clever outlines of a pictorial route – that could be driven, hiked or wandered along.
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| Denali National Park and Preserve (1994) Alaska |
Berann's depictions of the American national parks is that they look fairly realistic, while enhancing the landscapes. He made sure all the important features of each park were visible, sometimes this required creative distortion.
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| Cape Town's hinterland |
Other aspects of cartography also entered into the realms of this brain … but had better be suppressed here … otherwise there will not be a post.
For more on Berann please see here …
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| Those enjoying themselves celebrating being together ... have fun |
Wishing everyone a happy week ahead … I hope to continue blogging, though I'm very tempted to retire and read … but that won't be happening … I need to blog – it opens my eyes to so much, and I'd miss you all …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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43 comments:
I am a retired maps librarian so this post was a pleasure to see. The maps you show are beautiful.
I've always been fascinated by maps. The one of Amsterdam is intriguing because it's hard to reconcile with today's city. I'm guessing what's shown here is now the heart of the city and that it predates the rings of canals surrounding it that make Amsterdam so distinctive today.
@ Terra - oh how very interesting ... what a great career you had ... and for that I'm delighted to see you approve of the maps I posted up ... I too love maps ...
@ Ian - yes ... me too; but you're right about the Amsterdam map, it's in Wiki, and does predate the rings of canals that were created in the future ... not too long before some of them were dug - during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. It's such an interesting city ... I'd love to go over again at some stage ...
Thanks you two - interesting comments ... cheers Hilary
I am fascinated by maps. Yet another skill I do not have and appreciate.
Mind you, your post worries me a little. Look after yourself dear friend. If you were to retire from blogging you, and your eclectic informative posts would be missed. Badly.
Hi EC - I'm highly grateful to you particularly, and I know some others, who enjoy my eclectic posts ... I really appreciate your support for my blogging - I'd miss it ... so it's very unlikely I'll drop off this journey for a while yet - I'd say years ... but that might be tempting fate! Thanks so much for the support - cheers Hilary
We would miss you and all the fascinating stuff you share!
This is so cool to see maps from long ago and how some were enhanced. I have a map of Germany, the way it looked between the wars and it is quite interesting. It is a huge map and unsure what to do with it.
How interesting - don’t stop!
I love maps. Those are some interesting ones. It's amazing what can be depicted.
After two years of lockdown and isolation, everyone needs to keep up quality contact with the rest of the world. I hope you absolutely DO continue blogging. Meet your female friends in an outdoor coffee shop at least once a week, and share views on all sorts of subjects.
Hari OM
Well, you know I am one of the many who looks forward to seeing what you come up with next so would greatly miss the prompts and links you provide for brain fodder! I also appreciate that life can sometimes have a greater influence over etherlife... sending ether hugs and wishes for seeing you at least once a week! YAM xx
I love seeing the topography of an area! Like you, it's impossible for me to visualize a location from above (and I'm hopeless with direction). Maps are such great tools.
What wonderful maps, how Amsterdam has changed! They remind me that I haven't flown anywhere for a couple of years!
Don't you dare give up blogging!!!
These maps are fascinating and I have always enjoyed these pictorial representations, especially old "frontier" maps here in North America. Now, Hilary, you had better get over here quickly and practice your first aid skills, and I insist on nothing but prolonged and earnest mouth to mouth resuscitation, perhaps repeated frequently. You will find me flat on my back, having fallen down at the mere thought of you ceasing to blog. Dispel this notion immediately. There is no compromise in this matter. A world without Hilary is not even to be imagined for a minute. And regarding that matter of resuscitation, it is a strong possibility that it might develop into regular therapy. Just so you know. Hugs from Ontario, David
I love looking at old maps. I visited an exhibit here two years ago of some early North America maps. It was fascinating to see what they knew and what they were guessing. The panoramic maps are quite an art form, I think.
@ Alex – thanks so much, I'm just delighted other bloggers enjoy the 'odd' subjects I come up with …
@ Birgit – maps are fascinating … I'm sure there must be somewhere which'd be happy to have your map and put it up for interest.
@ Anabel – yes I've other posts to write up – now I must keep on … thanks for the encouragement …
@ Liz – they are so interesting to look at, I agree …
@ Hels – it is just wonderful we can interact with so many and learn so much, or understand new things. I'm sure I'll continue on … too much to 'talk about' …
@ Yam – I know I'm really lucky you and others are there as soon as I post – and I'm thrilled to know you enjoy the brain fodder: thanks. All well just sluggish, or sloth-like!
@ Elizabeth – I do love looking over things and appreciating the area I happen to be in … my directions are good (usually), but birds'-eye views not so easy for me to take in …
@ Keith – yes hasn't Amsterdam changed, let alone other capitals. You're right - not much movement for any of us – oh yes … you and your tent get out and about!
Blogging looks like it's got rather a lot of ticks to keep going – even from me … so I'm a-going on - posting won't stop …
@ David – you're always so kind to me … which I truly appreciate. If I could grab a plane and have a season ticket – I'd be up and over regularly – I'd love to see the east side of Canada … and I'm sure I'd enjoy a few hugs … at least, if not more?!
@ Dan – I'm sure the early American maps must be fascinating – certainly the early European ones are quite exraordomary … eg Tabula Peutingeriana (Roman 1st century map) …
Cheers and thanks so much to you all – I've a couple of other posts on maps to follow-up with … all the best - Hilary
That was really interesting. I'm looking for an affordable cartographer to make a map of my people's travels. Something like these would be great! Not sure about the affordability though!
I've always loved maps of all styles and the artistic depictions are tremendous. Very cool.
And if it helps - I love your blog posts. Please don't retire from blog world.
All the best and Happy Valentine's to you also.
I love to compare old maps to new maps
Are you okay? Take a holiday if you need one, but don't stop (hugs)
Maps can be so fascinating. Don't retire from blogging, you'd be missed terribly.
Phew! You scared me there when you mentioned the possibility of retiring from blogging. I am so glad that you have decided to stay. I learn a great deal from your posts.
@ Jacqui - the concept of these maps would be ideal for your book ... perhaps an art student, or a kid with a penchant for 'art' could help - I agree it's a great idea for you ... good luck with the looking ...
@ Joanne - me too ... I've always enjoyed map reading around the country/ies ... while these pictorial maps, some more realistic than others, are so much fun to see - I just wish I had the visual perception to craft them, which I definitely don't have ...
I know I'd find it difficult to get off the blogging bandwagon - so I'll be around for a while yet - thank you ...
@ Jo-Anne - thank you ...
@ Jemima - oh thank you ... I'm fine - just slothful and I'll be so pleased once the longer days come along - which they are ...
@ Mason - maps are great fun to look at, I've always enjoyed them even from a young age. I'm fairly certain I'll be around and blogging for a while yet.
@ Donna - gosh thank you - really appreciate your thoughts. I'm always surprised how much I've learnt since I started blogging ... and after the people, I'd miss the education I receive from my own 'research' and from other bloggers and the links one can find.
I'm sure I'll be blogging for a while - I so appreciate your support for these eclectic posts ... thank you - cheers Hilary
Lovely post Hilary thank you! I love seeing maps from ye olden days. Do.NOT.RETIRE ...
Map-making can be very creative and it can be political, When we view a two-dimensional map of the world the UK is usually at the center and fairly high up. But most countries would show the map basically the same - except that their country would be in the middle. Maps can be political!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s wonderfully withering Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Your's is one of the few blogs I try to get to regularly, because you open MY eyes to so much. Always fun and informative. I love trying to understand maps of all kinds! It's still too wintery here for me. I'm ready for a change in the season, but will still have to wait a bit...
I feel like retiring from blogging too. I will keep on though, but I want to mix it up. Something you already do so well.
The maps are gorgeous, I love old maps and old books.
I hope you continue blogging, Hils.
We'd all miss you if you weren't.
Cheers,
Maps are fascinating! Such a lovely and informative post as always. I'm so happy to discover you are still blogging. I've been off the rails for a while now, but your posts bring back all the memories. Hope all is well for you!
@ Susan - thank you ... I'm so grateful for your support ...
@ Bazza - yes you're right on both 'scores' ... political being the word. Also - 'of course' (ha ha) we (the Brits) are in the centre of the world ... at one stage ...
@ Lisa - I'm so chuffed and thank you for letting me know. I enjoy posting about different and eclectic subjects. It's not too good here - but thankfully no snow - we're about to have gales ... but it is getting lighter for longer.
@ Inger - I don't want to stop blogging ... but I must make more time for reading in my life - so I can prepare my blogs. Thanks re your comment about me mixing the subjects up - or joining them together ... you were going to write about your early Swedish life at some stage: that I'd enjoy ...
So glad you enjoy the maps ... yes I rather wish I'd spent more time with old maps and old books ...
@ Sandra - I don't think I can give up blogging ... somehow! Thanks for support ...
@ Janet - great to see you again ... so pleased to see you around again - you've had lots going on these last few years ...
Thanks so much to you all - I'm honoured at your support ... cheers Hilary
How fascinating these maps are. I have no talent in creating anything remotely resembling these.
You must blog. What would we do without your wonderful information about things we might never know exist?
Another fascinating and educational post, Hilary! I always learn a lot here and would miss you if you retired. As I know all too well, those "blogging doldrums" do occur from time to time. Cheers to a brighter tomorrow!
I like how they drew the mountains on the maps. Artistic in a way.
Cartography is such an amazing art form, isn't it, Hills?
Great to see the maps visible! Students need to see that their world is broader than they think.
Like you, I need to blog. Not just for the writing, but blogging is about meeting other bloggers.
Maps are fascinating! What a great post.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead! :)
~Jess
Cracking post as usual.
I sometimes leave my blog unattended but it always summons me back. :-)
Greetings from London.
@ Lee – I most definitely don't have any talent in being artistic … but seemingly from wonderful commenters I do have some creating 'posts' that creatively inform.
@ Debbie – thanks … I can't see me giving up – I just must make more time for reading and learning from books – it's the doldrums from reading that I'm in … oh yes the days are getting longer …
@ Sherry – extraordinary how artistic people can create vistas for us to enjoy …
@ Sandra – cartography is fascinating …
@ Susan – yes the young need to realise there's more to life than the small world they inhabit – they need to think and mentally explore, if nothing else. Adults need to help!
You've said it – 'the need to blog' and to meet new bloggers and other worlds – I love it!
@ Jess – maps are gorgeous – you must be able to create some wonderful ones for Margo and your Secret Files … talent abounding in your place …
@ ACIL – thank you … I don't like to leave mine – but it's the only writing I do – and I always have loads to write about … just where to start – lets me down occasionally …
Thanks so much to you all – we're all blogging 'fundis' (that I understand is a South African plural word … I didn't realise I'd picked it up from when I lived there!!) - an expert in our worlds … I'm sure I'll be blogging for a while yet – cheers Hilary
These maps are absolutely fascinating, Hilary. Please never retire from blogging--I cherish your posts, and your unflagging support for the blogging community.
Hi Damyanti - there'll be more map posts shortly ... as more interesting cartography was found ...
I can't see me giving up - way too many things I want to write about - just I must make room for reading more ... and thank you for the thumbs up for my support - cheers to you - Hilary
I always love learning more about maps!
Right now I'm reading neil M Gunn's The Silver Darlings, and really wishing there was a map included, of all the coves and towns and islands around the Highlands...
Thanks Deniz - yes I do too ... I'm thinking about the Ukraine area now ... a complicated map history over the millennia. The Silver Darlings sounds an informative read ... herrings always make me think of Cornwall - so I'm sure this book would remind me of the Cornish fishing industry. Thanks for letting me know about it ... Hilary
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