Encompassing the Globe: Portugal and the World in the 16th and 17th Centuries

For better or for worse Portugal has its share of responsibility over the globalization we so well known today. The exploration voyages experienced from the 15th century Portuguese sailors connected the world, “discovered” continents and cultures, ended old fears and monopolies, opened the commerce to the word and laid the grounds for the world we live in.

As a Portuguese I always wanted to see an exhibit that portrayed this time of world history as told by non-europeans. Smithsonian has made it possible with a fine exhibit that made its way back home to Lisbon, at the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga.

Though in my opinion this exhibit somehow lacked the needed articulated view of the so called “discoveries age”, the choice and relevance of the exposed objects was enough to make a great exposition. I’m talking about 300 objects gathered from museums in China, India, Japan, South America and Europe.

Here is the exhibit international link, the Portuguese one and some photos. Finally here’s a cool Google Earth kml file.