So far 2012 has indeed been very much Vespucci-oriented
(for my joy!). Many initiatives have been organized throughout Italy and,
judging from what’s still to come, the Vespucci season has not finished yet.
For those of you who happen to be in Florence
at the beginning of October (I know, short notice I am afraid...) do not miss out
on the event organized by the Comitato Amerigo Vespucci, scheduled for Wednesday
3 October. In the church of Ognissanti at 4.00 pm attendants will have the
opportunity to see a life-size copy of the Waldsemuller Map, displayed next to
the Vespucci chapel. The presentation of the volume I segreti delle antiche carte geografiche by Claudio Piani and
Diego Baratono will follow at 5.30 pm in the Libreria de’ Servi. The book will
reveal the authors’ ideas on the Waldsemuller map and its relation with the
frescoed lunette of the Vespucci chapel. Piani-Baratono already developed the hypothesis that the Waldsemuller
Map might be derived from the cloak of the Virgin represented in the chapel’s
lunette. According to the authors, in fact, the map has the same shape of the
Virgin’s mantle. This theory is now further investigated in I segreti delle antiche carte geografiche where the
authors sustain that the name America did not come from Amerigo but from Maria
which would establish a link with the devotion the family showed towards the
Virgin Mary in the fifteenth and sixteenth century (first contribution on
the subject available online: http://www.mastromarcopugacioff.it/Articoli/Teofanie4.htm)
For those of you who cannot make it to Florence there is still the
chance to know more about Amerigo the explorer at the Italian Cultural
Institute of Edinburgh on Thursday 15 November, 6.00 pm. Margherita Calderoni,
an Italian journalist, historian and lecturer will take us through the life and
travels of Amerigo Vespucci bringing the attention on Florence’s network
dynamics that sealed the friendship between Amerigo, Leonardo da Vinci, Paolo
Toscanelli and Lorenzo il Magnifico. Dealing with fifteenth century geographical discoveries, humanistic
culture, and love-related gossips, the talk seems to have the right mix of
ingredients to attract the curiosity of many. For more information on the event
visit the Italian Cultural Institute website:
Enjoy!
