Hand Painted 'Fool's Cap' Map of the World, circa 1590 / Antique Map of the World / Unusual Map of the World / Unique Map of the World

This is a hand painted map of the world circa 1580-1590, author unknown. Using this beautifully illustrated and very detailed map as my starting point, I PRINTED the map on archival rag matte paper and then HAND PAINTED the map with museum quality watercolor. Please scroll down to read a translation of the Latin text on the map. I have more unique world maps available. (Click on 'World Maps' in my shop sections.)

Any hand painted map can be custom colored with a palette of your choice, and many maps can be custom sized to suit your needs. My maps are a great way to document your travels or celebrate your life’s journeys. I’m happy to mark special locations for a personalized touch. Contact me and we can get started creating your customized map.

Mat and frame not included.

Questions? Please contact me and I will gladly answer them.


HAND PAINTED MAP or PRINT SIZE:

Choose a hand painted map or a full color print in a size of your choice from the drop down menu. Sizes listed are approximate. If you need the exact dimensions please let me know.

Don’t see the size you’re looking for? Please contact me for availability and a quote.


MATERIALS for Hand Painted Maps:

High quality, archival rag matte paper
Museum quality watercolor
Professional quality archival ink

MATERIALS for full color Prints:

High quality, archival rag matte paper
Archival Canon Lucia inks (12 ink color system)


The map contains text in Latin and is translated as:

The legend on the left panel reads: “Democritus laughed at the world, Heraclitus of Ephesus wept over it, Epichtonius Comsopolites portrayed it.” The caption over the cap translates as “know thyself” and across the cap’s brow reads, “O head, worthy of a dose of hellebore.” The quote just above the map, from Pliny the Elder, reads “For in the whole universe the earth is nothing else and this is the substance of our glory, this is its habitation, here it is that we fill positions of power and covet wealth, and throw mankind into an uproar, and launch wars, even civil ones.” The quote below the map is from Ecclesiastes and reads, “The number of fools is infinite.” Ecclesiastes is also quoted on the Jester’s staff and reads, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” The inscriptions on the shoulder belt translate as: “Oh, the worries of the world; oh, how much triviality is there in the world,” and “Everyone is without sense,” and “All things are vanity; every man living.”