Encounters in the New World: Jesuit Cartography of the Americas

Saint Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus in 1540 to revitalize Catholic faith and evangelize to non-Catholics. Jesuit missionaries were sent all over the world, including to South America, and served as cartographers and explorers under the Spanish, Portuguese, and French Crowns. Mirela Altic's analysis of over one hundred fifty Jesuit maps shows their contribution to mapping and mapmaking, incorporating indigenous knowledge into them and making them an expression of cross-cultural communication.

Format: Hardback
Length: 504 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Saint Ignatius of Loyola established the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, in 1540, in response to the turmoil caused by the Protestant Reformation. The society's primary objective was to rekindle Catholic faith and spread the gospel to non-Catholics through acts of charity, education, and missionary work. By the end of the 16th century, Jesuit missionaries had been dispatched to various parts of the world, including South America. In addition to their religious duties, Jesuits also played a significant role in cartography and exploration. Under the patronage of the Spanish, Portuguese, and French Crowns, they ventured into remote regions to discover new territories and evangelize indigenous populations.

Mirela Altic, in her book "Encounters in the New World," examines over one hundred fifty Jesuit maps, many of which have never been published before. Altic's analysis spans from the Jesuits' arrival in the New World to the post-suppression period, placing their contribution to mapping and mapmaking within the broader context of their global endeavors in science and art. Altic's study highlights the integration of indigenous knowledge into Jesuit maps, rendering them a manifestation of cross-cultural communication. At the same time, these maps served as instruments of colonial expansion. This ambiguity reflects the intricate interplay between missions, knowledge, and empire.

Far beyond mere physical surveys of uncharted territories, Jesuit mapping of the New World played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of ideas and cultural concepts between the Old World and the New. The Jesuits' meticulous records and detailed maps not only provided valuable insights into the natural world but also facilitated cultural interactions and exchanges. They established schools, hospitals, and libraries, which not only imparted knowledge but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among different cultures.

In conclusion, the Society of Jesus, through its commitment to charity, education, and missionary work, played a significant role in shaping the New World. Jesuit mapping of the New World, characterized by its integration of indigenous knowledge and its role in colonial expansion, reflects the complex relationship between missions, knowledge, and empire. By examining these maps, we gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the Jesuit presence in the New World and the enduring impact of their work on the world.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226791050