Religionis Catholicae in America

           This colorful map demonstrates the location of Catholic missionary camps and locations around North America.  The bottom right corner acts as a key to demonstrate where various types of temporary and permanent missions are set.  The image on the right side of the frame depicts natives kneeling around a missionary in front of Jesus on a cross.  This colorful picture is meant to illustrate the mission, and how spreading the faith as a righteous task.  Of course, Jesus is portrayed as looking like a white European, and the dark-skinned natives surround the European missionary as they pray, hinting at a racial bias, and perhaps imperialist ideology.

           This map represents European sentiments of exploration as a means of spreading faith, rather than simply for trade and exploration. This map is most likely from the early 18^th century, and created by S.J. Heinrich Scherer in Munich.  Scherer was noted as a spectacular cartographer who often depicted the spread of Catholicism and the Jesuit missionaries around the world. 

           The artifact is beautifully preserved.  It is a near perfect balance of artistry and accurate mapping.  There is nothing on the back of the map.  The boarders of the continents are color coded to differentiate each area.  I also found the inclusion of sea monsters on the map to be interesting.  I am unsure why they were added to this map.  Was it more an aesthetic choice, a landmark, or a warning to future explorers?

M. C.