Mark Schuler: Vasco da Gama

Artist: Mark Schuler
1951 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 9 by 11 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese navigator who was born in 1469 at Sines, was still a young man when he first distinguished himself as an intrepid mariner. Eventually, he would make a voyage that would change the course of world history and economics. Originally, da Gama's father had been selected by King John II of Portugal to make this exploratory voyage. But, when both King John and da Gama's father died, the new king, Manuel I, gave the command to Vasco. On July 8, 1497, Vasco da Gama and his four-ship expedition left Lisbon, Portugal. In November, his little fleet rounded the Cape of Good Hope and, despite hurricanes and mutinies, he reached Malindi on the east coast of Africa early the following year. While momentarily resting in Malindi he found a skilled Indian pilot and, with his help, sailed directly across the Indian Ocean, arriving at Calicut, India, May 20, 1948. This historic journey proved beyond any doubt that Europe could make maritime contact with India and the lands of the Orient. Furthermore, it broke the commercial monopoly with the Orient that, until this time, the Ottomans and Venetians had enjoyed. And, for the first time, the events in Europe and the Orient had an impact on each other. Indeed, the entire economy of Asia and Europe was changed forever.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Portugal Europa stamp featured in the 1980 Portraits of Greatness collection.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06467

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