NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊
The article by Federico Masini examines Martino Martini's (1614–1661) *Novus Atlas Sinensis* as a historiographical work and an instrument of Eurocentric mediation of geographical knowledge about China. The central thesis holds that Martini must be understood "above all" as a missionary from China t...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
|---|---|
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Articles |
| Published: |
Instituto Cultural de Macau
January 2010
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40033/3554 |
| _version_ | 1877196270624309248 |
|---|---|
| author | Federico Masini |
| author_autocomplete | Federico Masini |
| author_browse | Federico Masini |
| author_facet | Federico Masini Federico Masini |
| author_sort | Federico Masini |
| container_title | Review of Culture |
| container_title_str | Review of Culture |
| container_volume | 33 |
| container_volume_str | 33 |
| description | The article by Federico Masini examines Martino Martini's (1614–1661) *Novus Atlas Sinensis* as a historiographical work and an instrument of Eurocentric mediation of geographical knowledge about China. The central thesis holds that Martini must be understood "above all" as a missionary from China to Europe: drawing on materials gathered during his missionary experience and the linguistic and intellectual networks established on his journey, he transformed scattered observations into a descriptive cartographic model that conditioned the European reading of Chinese space, as well as its uses, customs, ancient and modern history, and even its language.
Methodologically, the study proceeds with a reconstruction of the editorial genesis and the production conditions of the atlas, articulating biographical stages (Hangzhou, Fujian, stopovers in the Philippines and Batavia/Jakarta, arrival in Europe) with the diplomatic and religious contexts in which the work was prepared and published. In particular, the analysis highlights how periods of waiting and "extra-missionary" activity favoured its composition, with the support of Chinese manuscripts and bibliography and the linguistic assistance of a baptized Chinese collaborator.
It concludes that the *Novus Atlas Sinensis* was the first, and for more than a century the only, geographically comprehensive descriptive atlas of China in European circulation, consolidating itself as an enduring reference of European cartographic and historical culture concerning the Empire. |
| first_indexed | 2026-09-11T02:56:56Z |
| format | Articles |
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| issn | 1682-1106 |
| last_indexed | 2026-09-11T02:56:56Z |
| latest_content_date | 2026-09-11T02:56:56Z |
| publishDate | January 2010 |
| publishDateRange | 2010 |
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| publishPlace | Macau |
| publisher | Instituto Cultural de Macau |
| publisherStr | Instituto Cultural de Macau |
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| spelling | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 The article by Federico Masini examines Martino Martini's (1614–1661) *Novus Atlas Sinensis* as a historiographical work and an instrument of Eurocentric mediation of geographical knowledge about China. The central thesis holds that Martini must be understood "above all" as a missionary from China to Europe: drawing on materials gathered during his missionary experience and the linguistic and intellectual networks established on his journey, he transformed scattered observations into a descriptive cartographic model that conditioned the European reading of Chinese space, as well as its uses, customs, ancient and modern history, and even its language. Methodologically, the study proceeds with a reconstruction of the editorial genesis and the production conditions of the atlas, articulating biographical stages (Hangzhou, Fujian, stopovers in the Philippines and Batavia/Jakarta, arrival in Europe) with the diplomatic and religious contexts in which the work was prepared and published. In particular, the analysis highlights how periods of waiting and "extra-missionary" activity favoured its composition, with the support of Chinese manuscripts and bibliography and the linguistic assistance of a baptized Chinese collaborator. It concludes that the *Novus Atlas Sinensis* was the first, and for more than a century the only, geographically comprehensive descriptive atlas of China in European circulation, consolidating itself as an enduring reference of European cartographic and historical culture concerning the Empire. Instituto Cultural de Macau Macau Review of Culture Articles January 2010 Federico Masini |
| spellingShingle | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 Federico Masini |
| title | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 |
| title_autocomplete | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 |
| title_full | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 |
| title_fullStr | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 |
| title_full_unstemmed | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 |
| title_short | NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS新版中國地圖冊 |
| title_sort | novus atlas sinensis新版中國地圖冊 |
| url | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40033/3554 |
| zotero_collection_key | 76L3BRGH |