Portræt af Cresques Abraham

Cresques Abraham's Most Famous Paintings: All 2, Ranked

Opdateret oktober 2026 · rangeret efter vores popularitetsscore (søgninger, besøg og ordrer for hvert værk) · 2 værker af Cresques Abraham i vores katalog

In short

The Cresques Abraham painting most people know is Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI, and you can see it at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, Barcelona. Out of 2 works by Cresques Abraham in our catalogue, these 2 are the best known. Each one comes with its year, its museum and a short note on what makes it stand out.

1325 – 1387, Palma de Mallorca Flest værker: Maritime Museum of Barcelona
Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI af Cresques Abraham1. Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI Catalan Atlas (1375) af Cresques Abraham2. Catalan Atlas 1375

Cresques Abraham's top 10: the pieces everyone knows

1
Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI af Cresques Abraham

Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI

Parchment · Maritime Museum of Barcelona, Barcelona

To gaze upon the Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas, Leaves V and VI, is to embark on a voyage through time, transported back to the golden age of maritime exploration. Created around 1375 by the master Jewish cartographer Abraham Cresques and his son Jehuda, this exquisite work represents the pinnacle of the Majorcan cartographic school. This particular facsimile captures the breathtaking essence of two large parchment sheets that serve not…

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2
Catalan Atlas (1375) af Cresques Abraham

Catalan Atlas

1375 · Parchment · Naval Museum, Madrid

The Catalan Atlas is a medieval world map attributed to the cartographer Cresques Abraham. Produced in Mallorca, Spain, the work was completed around 1375. This nautical chart and mappa mundi originated from the Majorcan cartographic school, a group of mapmakers active during the 14th century. The document was commissioned by Prince John of Aragon and was intended to be presented as a gift to Charles VI of France.

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Where you can see Cresques Abraham's paintings

De 2 museer, der rummer flest af malerierne på denne side.

Museum By Værker af Cresques Abraham Malerier fra denne liste
Maritime Museum of Barcelona, BarcelonaMaritime Museum of Barcelona Barcelona 1 Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI
Naval Museum, MadridNaval Museum Madrid 1 Catalan Atlas

The famous Cresques Abraham pieces of each year

1375 is when every dated Cresques Abraham piece on this page was made. Here they are, most famous first.

Værker per år

Pick a year to see its pieces.

Cresques Abraham paintings: what people want to know

What painting is Cresques Abraham best known for?See the answer

Top of the list is Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI.

How many Cresques Abraham works are there?See the answer

We have 2 works by Cresques Abraham in our catalogue.

Which museums have Cresques Abraham's best-known paintings?See the answer

You'll find most of them in Maritime Museum of Barcelona (Barcelona) og Naval Museum (Madrid). The museum list above has the full breakdown.

What did Cresques Abraham usually paint with?See the answer

Parchment, used in 2 of the 2 pieces on this page.

Can I order a Cresques Abraham reproduction for my home?See the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.

Meet Cresques Abraham

Early Life and Origins

  • Name: Cresques Abraham (his given name was actually Cresques, Abraham being his father's name)
  • Alternative Names: Eliça, son of Rabbi Abraham
  • Born: Palma de Mallorca, Spain, circa 1325
  • Died: 1387
  • Background: Cresques was born into a Jewish family in Majorca, then part of the Crown of Aragon. His grandfather, Vidal Cresques, was a prominent figure within the local Jewish community. The family’s involvement in cartography and related crafts likely began before his birth.

The Catalan Atlas and Cartographic Expertise

  • Major Work: Cresques is most renowned for his authorship of the Catalan Atlas, completed around 1375 in collaboration with his son, Jehuda Cresques.
  • Commissioned by: Prince John of Aragon, intended as a gift for Charles VI of France.
  • Content and Significance: The Catalan Atlas was more than just a map; it served as an encyclopedia of geographical, political, economic, and zoological information. It included the first incorporation of a compass rose on a portolan chart.
  • Cartographic Style: Cresques’s work combined practical navigational charts (portolans) with decorative elements and detailed illustrations. He demonstrated expertise in geography, astronomy, and navigation.

Influences and Development

  • Majorcan Cartographic School: Cresques was a leading member of the Majorcan cartographic school, which flourished during the 14th century. This school produced some of Europe’s finest nautical charts.
  • Jewish Tradition in Cartography: Jews played a significant role in medieval mapmaking and instrument creation, leveraging their skills in mathematics, astronomy, and international trade.
  • Arabic Influence: The cartographic traditions of the Islamic world likely influenced Cresques' work, particularly in terms of astronomical knowledge and map projections.

Legacy and Historical Significance

  • Pioneering Cartographer: Cresques is considered a pioneer in nautical cartography, contributing significantly to the development of accurate and detailed sea charts.
  • Impact on Navigation: His maps facilitated trade and exploration by providing sailors with reliable navigational tools.
  • Cultural Significance: The Catalan Atlas reflects the cultural and scientific advancements of 14th-century Europe, showcasing a blend of art, science, and commerce.
  • Family Legacy: Cresques’s son, Jehuda Cresques, continued his father's work and later became a cartographer in Portugal under Henry the Navigator, further extending the family’s influence on mapmaking.

Later Years and Conversion of His Son

  • Royal Protection: Cresques and his son received royal protection from Pedro IV of Aragon, including financial support and exemptions from certain regulations.
  • Jehuda's Conversion: Following anti-Jewish outbreaks in Spain in 1391, Jehuda converted to Christianity and changed his name to Jaime Ribes. He continued his cartographic work under the patronage of John I and later Martin of Aragon.
  • Mestre Jacome de Mallorca: Jehuda became known as Mestre Jacome de Mallorca and worked for Henry the Navigator in Portugal, contributing to Portuguese explorations along the African coast.

Alle 2 værker af Cresques Abraham →