BBC4 will be hosting a series titled 'Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession' followed by a series on 'The Beauty of Maps'.

Maps: Power, Plunder And Possession tells the epic and beautiful story of cartography, from hammered rock art to satellite images of Google Earth, in three episodes.

The Beauty Of Maps looks at the art of maps, their historical significance, their relevance to modern map-making, and how they shape the future of cartography.

Each programme will focus on one specific map and use human stories and testimony, original sketches and artistic impressions, private journals and historic archive sources to tell its story.

Psalter Map image © British Library Board

The series addresses the cartographers' role and the impact their creations have had within the art world and includes interviews with artists and Peter Barber, Head of Map Collections at the British Library.

The season is designed to coincide with the British Library's exhibition 'Magnificent Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art' (30 April-19 September), curated by Peter Barber.

The season starts on 19 April at 9pm, UK time.

Article : Visual Encyclopaedias : The Hereford and other Mappae Mundi >>