Journeys

Mapping the Imagination, Journeys, wilderness, urban, manmade culture, South America, Edward Wallis, discovery, William Spooner, race game, compass, lady’s travelling fan, map of England and Wales, souvenir fan, 18th century, Aubry de la Motraye, Africa, Middle East, adventure, maps, air routes, footprints, road atlas

  • John Ogilby, 'Britannia', 1675



    John Ogilby (1600-76)
    'Britannia'
    1675
    Engraving on paper
    Published in London
    National Art Library pressmark 51.C.1

    Ogilby's atlas is the forerunner to the modern road atlas. Its attractive scroll format combines three-dimensional pictorial details with a two-dimensional street map. It directs the traveller on the London to Dover route through reference to landmarks but unlike modern maps, it does not provide orientation, making it appear strange to modern eyes.

  • Langlands and Bell, 'Air Routes of the World (Day)', 2001



    Langlands and Bell (Ben Langlands born 1955 and Nikki Bell born 1959)
    'Air Routes of the World (Day)'
    2001
    Screenprint on paper
    Museum no. E.10-2002
    Purchased through the Julie and Robert Breckman Print Fund
    © Langlands and Bell

    Langlands and Bell work with a variety of media to explore the systems of communication that codify our world. This print diptych is based on the global network of international airline routes. Similar to star constellations in the sky, they offer an alternative map of the world where air travel defines the important locations.

  • Anonymous, 'Wallis's New Game of Wanderers in the Wilderness', 1818-47



    Anonymous
    'Wallis's New Game of Wanderers in the Wilderness'
    1818-47
    Hand-coloured etching on paper mounted on linen
    Published by Edward Wallis, London
    Museum no. B.8-1997
    Given by Waddington PLC

    The designer of this game has represented South America, then unfamiliar and mysterious to most people in Britain, by picturing its major landscape features with the trees, birds and animals characteristic of the region. Urban and manmade culture is ignored, and the entire continent is designated a 'wilderness'.

  • Aubry de la Motraye, frontispiece to 'Travels through Europe, 1723



    Aubry de la Motraye (1674-1743)
    Frontispiece to 'Travels through Europe, Asia, and into Part of Africa'
    1723
    Engraving on paper
    Published in London
    Museum no. 15370:19

    Motraye travelled for 26 years, from Scandinavia to the Middle East and Africa. In his book, he described the history and situation of these regions. This frontispiece, with its globe, marine map and battle scene, suggests the adventures and danger that travel promised during this period.

  • Tom Phillips, 'Map Walks Nos. 1 and 2', 1972-3



    Tom Phillips (born 1937)
    'Map Walks Nos. 1 and 2'
    1972-3
    Acrylic paint on printed book page and oil paint tint on photograph
    Museum no. P.11-1977
    © Tom Phillips

    These map pieces explore the artist's connections to, and daily experience of, Camberwell and Peckham where he lives and works. They are probably records of his own regular walks. For us, they offer an opportunity to follow in his footsteps and to experience something of his locality, his influence and his inspiration.

  • Anonymous, 'A Voyage of Discovery or The Five Navigators', 1836



    Anonymous
    'A Voyage of Discovery or The Five Navigators'
    1836
    Hand-coloured engraving on paper mounted on linen
    Published by William Spooner; printed by Lefevre & Kohlor, London
    Museum no. Circ.201-1964

    This is a race game, similar to Wallis's New Wanderers in the Wilderness (Museum no. B.8-1997), but here the islands represented are entirely imaginary. However, the artist has incorporated generic landscape features to give plausibility to his invention. The players moved their pieces as directed by a five-star compass (not shown).

  • Richard Long, 'Sixteen Works', 1984



    Richard Long (born 1945)
    'Sixteen Works'
    1984
    Letterpress on paper
    Published by Anthony d'Offay Gallery, London
    National Art Library pressmark X930435
    © Richard Long

    Walking artist Richard Long has taken inspiration and materials from his walks to create artwork since the 1960s. Word lists of sights, sounds, smells and colours are set out in patterns. They represent sensual records of his journeys, and the shape formed by the sequence of words often mirrors the course of the walks.