Ebstorf Map

The Ebstorf Map, created around 1234, is a significant historical artifact that offers invaluable insights into the early worldview of Western Europe.  The Ebstorf map was thought to have been created by Gervase of Tilbury, an English priest. Through further analysis, a great majority of sources think the Ebstorf Map was created by the nuns of the Ebstorf Monastery. At the time of its creation, the nuns contributed to many other artworks and even aided in the gothic constuction of the Monestary. The nuns also had more of an opportunity to travel due to their noble lineage, so they could give a more accurate interpretation of what Western Europe looked like. Unfortunately, the map was destroyed in the carnage of World War II era Germany, but this image is a convincing recreation of the original, displayed in the monastery to this day.  

In the context of graphic design, the Ebstorf Map serves as a strong example of medieval cartography. Painted on a large canvas of 30 goatskins, it provides a comprehensive representation of the medieval worldview, centered around Jerusalem and incorporating elements of both pagan and biblical history. The Ebstorf map's visual language and design strategies aimed to convey complex information, from descriptions of animals to splitting the world into three parts, reflecting the beliefs of the era. Furthermore, the map's destruction during World War II emphasizes the fragility of historical graphic design artifacts and the importance of preserving them for future generations.