New BBC Four Documentaries - The Beauty of Maps and Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession

The Beauty of Maps, Seeing The Art In Cartography
A four part documentary series looking at maps in incredible detail to highlight their artistic attributions and reveal the stories that they tell.

Starts Monday 19 April, 20:30 - 21:00 on BBC Four: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s2w83

1. Medieval Maps - Mapping the Medieval Mind The story of the Hereford Mappa Mundi, the largest intact medieval wall map in the world. Mon 19 April.

2. City Maps - Order out of Chaos How urban maps try to impose order on chaos. Tues 20 April.

3. Atlas Maps - Thinking Big A look at some of the largest and most elaborate maps ever produced. Wed 21 April.

4. Cartoon Maps - Politics and Satire How maps took on a new form, as devices for humour, satire or storytelling.

The parallel BBC website The Beauty of Maps has even more images and details.

This T.V. series showcases some of the maps in the British Library's forthcoming Magnificent Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art exhibition.



Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession
A three part documentary series about the extraordinary stories behind maps. Professor Jerry Brotton uncovers how maps aren't simply about getting from A to B but are revealing snapshots of defining moments in history and tools of political power and persuasion.

Starts Sun 18 April 21:00 – 22:00 on BBC Four: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s5m7w

1. Windows on the World - how maps are both snapshots of defining moments in history and tools of political power. Sun 18 April.

2. Spirit of the Age - how maps can reveal the fears, obsessions and prejudices of their age. Sun 25 April.

3. Mapping the World - how maps are snapshots of a moment in history. Sun 2 May.