ツ ツ An anonymous portrait of Ferdinand Magellan, 16th or 17th century (The Mariner's Museum Collection, Newport News, VA)

Think that you may own a portrait of Ferdinand Magellan? We authenticate, appraise, research and issue certificates of authenticity (COA) and provide consultations for all portraits of Ferdinand Magellan.

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese born maritime explorer who, at the service of Spain, attempted to find a westward route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. This voyage became known as the first successful attempt at world circumnavigation. He did not complete his final, westward voyage; he was killed during the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines. He did, however, die farther west than the Spice Islands, which he had visited from the west on earlier voyages, making him one of the first individuals to cross all the meridians of the globe. He became the first person to lead an expedition sailing westward from Europe to Asia and to cross the Pacific Ocean. Magellan should also be recognized as the first European explorer to enter the Pacific from the Strait of Magellan, which he discovered.

Ferdinand Magellan, detail of a painting by an unknown artist; in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Ferdinand Magellan by Antonio Giovanni de Varese Bridgeman Art Library / Villa Farnese, Caprarola, Lazio, Italy Magellan From an original painting at Toledo. Journal of Voyages Vol II No. 5 | Ferdinand Magellan 1470-1521 (Repro ID: PU2323 © National Maritime Museum) Great Explorers - Ferdinand Magellan Portrait of Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan: The first to go around the world Ferdinand Magellan Magellan rounding Terra del Fuego using an armillary sphere Ferdinandus Magellanus Freti Peruviani Terraeque Australis Inventor Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Library of Congress illustration Ferdinand Magellan Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan and his fleet Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan on board his caravel 1522

There are a number of portraits of Magellan from many eras, most of which were not likely painted from life, but rather from an idea of what the explorer looked like. Many of his portraits were painted by unknown artists, and today are housed all over the world. Still wondering about a curious portrait in your family collection? Contact us... it could be of famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan.