Many-Centrisms
Maps help us visualize the perspectives of the mapmakers rather than presenting an absolute, objective reality. Here you can admire two important Chinese maps, each a beautiful showcase of the representation of the world. The zone also highlights regional maps that exhibit unique styles, scales, and purposes.
Furthermore, there are atlases from various countries, illustrating multiple centrisms, for you to explore. By engaging with maps that reveal perspectives different from your own, this exhibition prompts you to reflect on your own point of view, allowing you to see, feel and interpret maps in new and profound ways.
![<i>Daqing Wannian Yitong Dili Quantu</i><br>
[Complete Map of the Everlasting Unified Qing Empire]](../img/1.01.jpg)
Daqing Wannian Yitong Dili Quantu
[Complete Map of the Everlasting Unified Qing Empire]
China, c.1814-1816 (Qing Dynasty)
A rare cartographic document that is based on an original work presented to the Qianlong Emperor by Huang Qianren (fl. 1760-1770) in 1767. It depicts China at the height of Qing, highlighting the span of the empire. It provides rich details of adminstrative regions and geographic features, which demonstrates the extensive research conducted by Huang Qianren. The map has a few variations in different colours; they scattered in museums, libraries and collectors over the world. The black version is rare.
![<i>Kunyu Wanguo Quantu</i><br>
[Complete Geographical Map of all the Kingdoms of the World]](../img/1.02.jpg)
Kunyu Wanguo Quantu
[Complete Geographical Map of all the Kingdoms of the World]
Japan, c.1680-1720
One of the gems of the HKUST collection is this Japanese manuscript copy of the Ricci map of the world. The well-known Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) made a world map in Chinese language for the Wanli Emperor in 1602; he closely followed Western world maps but placed China towards the centre of the map to reflect the Chinese notion of “Middle Kingdom.” Through this map Ming China understood its place in the World; many names for non-Asian countries on the map are still in use today.
![<i>Huai’an Fu Tu</i><br>[Map of Huai’an Prefecture]](../img/1.04.jpg)
Huai’an Fu Tu
[Map of Huai’an Prefecture]
China, c.1600 (Ming Dynasty)
32 x 50 cm
HKUST Library G7824.H715A5 1537z .H83
HKUST Library G7824.H715A5 1537z .H83
A manuscript map in the style of traditional Chinese landscape painting on silk, it depicts Huai’an Prefecture with important constructions such as prefecture office, counties, battalions, lakes, water channels, and bridges. It comes from a bigger set of maps portraying the adminstrative districts of the Huai River region. The HKUST Collection contains three maps from the set.
![<i>Planisphærium terrestre</i><br>[The terrestrial planisphere]](../img/1.11.jpg)
Planisphærium terrestre
[The terrestrial planisphere]
Amsterdam, 1720
Carel ALLARD (1648-c.1709)
Carel ALLARD (1648-c.1709)
This world map in two hemispheres lacks the typical rich decoration of Dutch maps of the time. Instead of baroque-style embellishments, there are 12 smaller maps and diagrams along the four borders. It is worth noting that the map depicts California as an island, a large landmass stretching from Japan to America, and almost the whole Australia.