Portrait of Cresques Abraham

Cresques Abraham Paintings: The 2 Most Famous, Through a Gallery's Eye

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 2 works by Cresques Abraham in our catalogue

In short

To the gallery's eye, Cresques Abraham's most famous painting is Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI, whose original hangs in the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, Barcelona. Of the 2 works by Cresques Abraham in our catalog, the gallery presents the 2 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.

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

The gallery's top 10 Cresques Abraham paintings

1
Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI by 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…

Order a hand-painted copy The story behind this original
2
Catalan Atlas (1375) by 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.

Order a hand-painted copy The story behind this original

The museums that keep Cresques Abraham's originals

The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Cresques Abraham Paintings from this list
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

Cresques Abraham, the signature paintings of each year

Every dated original by Cresques Abraham on this page was made in 1375: here they are, the most famous first.

Works per year

Pick a year to see its originals.

Cresques Abraham's paintings: the gallery answers

Which Cresques Abraham painting is the most famous of all?Reveal the answer

Facsimile of the Catalan Atlas. Leaves V and VI.

How many works did Cresques Abraham create?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 2 works by Cresques Abraham.

Where do Cresques Abraham's most famous originals hang?Reveal the answer

Mostly in Maritime Museum of Barcelona (Barcelona) and Naval Museum (Madrid). The museum table above lists them all.

Which medium did Cresques Abraham work in most?Reveal the answer

Parchment, for 2 of the 2 works on this page.

Can I have a Cresques Abraham painting reproduced by hand?Reveal the answer

Yes, as a reproduction: the original stays in its museum, but any painting on this page can be painted by hand for you, made to order one at a time, from the painting's own page.

Cresques Abraham: the artist

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.

All 2 works by Cresques Abraham →