Francesco Rosselli Paintings

Francesco Rosselli was an Italian painter, engraver, and mapmaker who lived during the Renaissance. Born in Florence in 1445, he was part of a family of artists; his brother Cosimo Rosselli was also a prominent painter. Francesco is particularly noted for his contributions to cartography and engraving, although less is known about his painting career.

Rosselli's engraving work was groundbreaking, as he was among the first to utilize this technique extensively in the depiction of maps. His most famous work in this domain is the 'Planisfero del Mondo Nuovo,' otherwise known as the 'Mappa Mundi,' a map created around 1506-1507 which is one of the earliest known printed maps to depict the New World following Christopher Columbus’s voyages. This map reflects the European view of the world at the time and is considered a significant historical artifact.

As a cartographer, Rosselli's work was characterized by the combination of technical skill and artistic flair. His maps were not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, featuring elaborate details and decorations. They contributed to the 15th and 16th centuries' expanding knowledge of geography and were instrumental in the dissemination of new geographical information across Europe.

Apart from his cartographic achievements, Rosselli also produced religious-themed engravings, which were widely distributed. These engravings were more than just religious artifacts; they were works of art that reflected the skill and artistic sensitivity of their creator.

Rosselli's date of death is uncertain, with some sources suggesting he died in 1513. Despite the lack of extensive documentation on his life compared to other artists of the era, Francesco Rosselli's contributions to art and science, particularly the field of cartography, have cemented his place in history as a significant figure of the Italian Renaissance.