Mataró model

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The model in the permanent exhibition at the Maritime Museum Prins Hendrik Rotterdam

The Mataró model is an important document for the reconstruction of the Santa Maria during Columbus' journey to the west. In addition, it seems to be a witness of the change from single to multi-master and of the influence of Mediterranean shipbuilding on northern Europe. An intensive interdisciplinary and scientific investigation was completed in 2004.

Origin and history

The model is said to come from a monastery church in Mataró in Catalonia . After being in London and New York , it wasn't discovered until 1920 in a Munich antique shop. There, the art patron Daniël George van Beuningen bought the model, which had previously been classified as a probable fake, in consultation with the Prins Hendrik Museum Rotterdam and gave it on loan.

The first descriptive publication was in Mariner's Mirror (Issue 3, 1929). The photos shown there differ from previous photos. Now the foremast is missing. This mast in particular had previously raised doubts as to the authenticity of the model. For a long time it was questionable whether this was added by the previous owners or whether it originally belonged to them. It remained on loan at the Maritime Museum Rotterdam until 1981 and was only taken over as part of the museum after negotiations with the heirs. It was then extensively investigated by 2004. This also includes research into the origin and history of the model and scientific research into the origin and type of materials used. Regarding the original origin, it was found that a votive model in the monastery church in Mataró could never be proven. There are indications that the origin could be from noble property.

The model

The last investigation in 2004 found that the timbers are from the beginning of the 15th century. This means that it can be dated approx. 100 years earlier than the Mary Rose . Columbus' Santa Maria is also considerably younger. In terms of time it is therefore close to the Bremen cog of 1380. It is also important to compare it with the Ebersdorf cog model at around the same time .
As with many preserved ship models, a distinction must be made here between the rigging and the hull. Usually the rigging suffers first, but the hull less. Today the model is shown as a one-master, but it may have been a two-master. There is a corresponding hole on the half deck . The foremast recognizable on the first known photos was removed as a forgery and subsequent addition. The one on the main mast located Crows Nest is provided with typical contemporary ornaments.

The hull is carvel-built planked and covered with a layer of tar. Important existing shipbuilding elements indicate a professional as the builder of the model. These include the scuppers, spikers and other irons, the cargo hatch with hatch cover on the main deck and the correct internal construction. The external features include the servant carved as a bearded man on the front box , the dragon or the monster on the stem and on the stern an angel figure painted on paper with a vase and flowers. The extremely long helmet stick is remarkable.

meaning

The model is used again and again when it comes to the reconstruction of the Santa Maria of Columbus. It complements the pictorial sources with its three-dimensionality. There are also clues for the positioning of archaeological finds. Due to its importance for shipping history and its popularity, the Maritime Museum Prins Hendrik used a simplified graphic as a signet and used it as an ex-libris .

literature

  • Heinrich Winter: The Catalan Nao from 1450 after the model in the Maritime Museum Prins Hendrik in Rotterdam. Robert Loef Verlag, Burg 1956
  • GB Rubin de Cervin: "The Catalan Nao, 15th century", in: Joseph Jobé (ed.): The sailing ships great time. Bielefeld 1967, pp. 19-24

Web links

Commons : Mataró model  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The Rotterdam Museum Boijmans van Beunigen was named after him.
  2. ↑ The material was not sufficient for a dendrochronological examination. According to C 14 , 1419 (± 30 years) is assumed, i.e. around 1380–1450

Coordinates: 41 ° 32 ′ 30.6 "  N , 2 ° 27 ′ 26.2"  E