The Caverio Planisphere (c. 1506) Was Not Copied from the Cantino Planisphere (1502)

Abstract

A close relationship has frequently been noted between the Caverio planisphere, generally dated c. 1506, and the Cantino planisphere, datable to October 1502. A careful examination of the placenames on the coast of Africa on the Caverio and Cantino planispheres and other early Portuguese and Portuguese-derived charts reveals the Caverio planisphere was probably not derived from the Cantino planisphere. The charts and planispheres are believed to be copied or derived from the Padrão Real, the Portuguese Royal Standard Map representing all the geographical knowledge at the time. The most likely explanation is that the Caverio planisphere is copied from the Padrão Real of c. 1505–06, while the Cantino planisphere reflects the cartography of the previous version of the Padrão Real of 1502.