Schulz, Juergen, La Cartografia tra Scienza e Arte: Carte e Cartografi nel Rinascimento Italiano. Ferrara: Franco Cosimo Panini, 1990. ISBN-88-7686-152-1. 6¾ x 9½ inches, 126pp., 74 monochrome illustrations, paper. (Viale Corassori 24, 41100 Modena, Italy, L.40,000)

I always like to harp on the connection between art and science demonstrated by early cartographers, and to grumble about how modern atlas makers seem to have lost this connection.  Apparently one has to return to Renaissance times to really study the connection, which is precisely what the author has done in a collection of essays, including a very detailed discussion of Jacopo de' Barbari's engraved view of Venice, and several essays on the works of Crostoforo Sorte.  As everyone knows, Italians made essential contributions to cartography in the 15th and 16th centuries, and this book offers a window into the mindset of individuals at the time.  The book does not delve too deeply into the Lafreri school of mapmaking, but provides insight into their times.  The illustrations include many topographical wall paintings and manuscript maps.

David C. Jolly, 1992