Johannes Ruysch

Johannes Ruysch (* around 1460 in Utrecht, † 1533 in Cologne), aka Johann Ruijsch or Giovanni Ruisch was a cartographer, astronomer, book illustrator and painter from now the Netherlands who created a famous world map. This Ruysch'sche world map is the second oldest representation of the New World in printed form. It was published in 1507 and was due to their release form widespread.

Possible participation in voyages of discovery

Little is known about his early life.

The map created by him was annexed from 1507 an edition of Ptolemy's Geographia; this work was rediscovered in the late medieval Europe and was disseminated in printed form. In a note of the Italian Celestine monk Marcus Beneventanus to the card writes this ( in translation ):

Because of this, it was assumed that he might have accompanied John Cabot on his expeditions in the years 1487 or 1498. Also, given the accumulation of Portuguese names on his card, speculated that he might be with a Portuguese ship, mitgefahren approximately from Bristol.

Work in Cologne

In 1494 he wrote the work Admonitiones ad spiritualia trahentes, a treatise on mixing colors and painting on canvas. Probably Ruysch came in 1505 in the Benedictine monastery of Saint Martin in Cologne as a secular priest. Other sources mention the year 1492.

Work in Rome

Later he went to Rome, where Pope Julius II him a dispensation, his spiritual duties relating granted. He probably made ​​the card there in 1507; he appeared there on payrolls of 1508 and 1509, and seems to have been specializing in decorative art painting. It is believed that he with "The Flemings, called John," a close friend of Raphael is identical, the lived together temporarily with the former. Furthermore, it was assumed that he had assisted Raphael in his " Astronomia " in the years 1509-1510 and other frescoes in the Stanza della segnatura and advice.

Work in Lisbon

Then Ruysch went to the Portuguese court, to work as an astronomer; possibly on the recommendation of Pope Julius II, who was friends with Manuel I of Portugal. That he could have been where he also works as a cartographer, appear less credible. The existing in Portugal cartographic knowledge was far superior to his, what the Cantino planisphere - and also the Caveri Card impressive evidence. Yet he is, astronomer and receptor of ancient geographical knowledge of Ptolemy awakened as " Renaissance talent," the interest of the king and the court of the same enriched. He also was one of the first to have taken into account the curvature of the earth when making maps. The plug end is potential was recognized in Portugal safely as possibly helpful for the Portuguese discoveries.

Last years

Ruysch returned to the monastery of St. Martin, where he spent his twilight years. He received a room that adjoined directly to the library of the monastery. In the monastery he also created one, now lost, astronomical mural, the days, months ( moon phases) and planetary alignments clarified. When he died in the monastery in 1533, he had achieved a high for this age. He left a large number of astronomical devices, which he himself had made ​​.