Aaron Arrowsmith, 1750 – 1823
Aaron Arrowsmith's 1 Most Famous Paintings
United States. Ne.. Administrative divisions. is the painting Aaron Arrowsmith is best remembered for; it belongs to the Fundación Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid. Our catalogue counts 1 works by Aaron Arrowsmith. Here are the 1 most famous, with the year, the museum and the story of each canvas.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated November 2026. Each painting on this page can be ordered as an oil reproduction painted by hand on linen canvas, or as a fine art print, made to the size you choose.
- Born · died
- 1750 – 1823, Winchester
- Works in our catalogue
- 1
- Most famous
- United States. Ne.. Administrative divisions.
- Most works at
- Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
The ten best-loved paintings by Aaron Arrowsmith
Where Aaron Arrowsmith's canvases hang
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Aaron Arrowsmith | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Fundación Antonio de Nebrija |
Madrid | 1 | United States. Ne.. Administrative divisions. |
Aaron Arrowsmith's canvases, question by question
Which canvas is Aaron Arrowsmith most remembered for?Read the answer
United States. Ne.. Administrative divisions..
How many paintings did Aaron Arrowsmith create?Read the answer
1 works by Aaron Arrowsmith are in our catalogue.
Where do Aaron Arrowsmith's most famous canvases hang today?Read the answer
Mostly in Fundación Antonio de Nebrija (Madrid); the list above names each museum and its canvases.
Where can I buy a reproduction of a Aaron Arrowsmith painting?Read the answer
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered from its own page as an oil reproduction painted by hand, or as a fine art print, in the size you choose.
Meet the painter: Aaron Arrowsmith
Early Life and Education
- Born: Winchester, United Kingdom (1750)
- Died: 1823
- Aaron Arrowsmith was born in Winston, Durham, England.
- He received his early education at a local school before pursuing a career in cartography.
- The Arrowsmith family established a business of mapmakers, which included Aaron, his sons (Aaron and Samuel), and his nephew (John).
Career and Notable Works
- Aaron Arrowsmith is renowned for his detailed maps encompassing the world, each continent, the South Pacific, and India.
- His work is characterized by a stark, scientific beauty with extraordinary detail and accuracy.
- Notable works include:
- Map of the World
- Map of Europe
- Map of Asia
- Map of the Americas
- Map of Africa
- He became hydrographer to the Prince of Wales around 1810 and later to the King.
- In 1790, he created a large chart of the world using the Mercator projection.
- His map of North America (1796) and Scotland (1807) are particularly celebrated.
Influences and Legacy
- Influences: Heinrich Kiepert, Johann Baptist Homann.
- Aaron Arrowsmith's work significantly impacted the fields of geography and mapmaking.
- His commitment to detail and accuracy set a high standard for subsequent cartographers.
- The Arrowsmith family business continued after his death, with his sons and nephew upholding his legacy.
- Mount Arrowsmith on Vancouver Island, Canada was named in honor of Aaron and John Arrowsmith.
Cartographic Contributions and Family Business
- Cartography: Recognized for accuracy and detail in map creation.
- Mapmaking: His maps served as reference points for numerous cartographers and geographers.
- Family Business: The Arrowsmith family business thrived after his death, carried on by his sons and nephew.
- Aaron Jr. (son) became a scholar and minister.
- Samuel (son) compiled a Biblical atlas.
- John (nephew) continued the cartographic tradition and produced over 180 maps.
Historical Significance
- Arrowsmith's "Map Exhibiting All the New Discoveries in the Interior Parts of North America" (1795) was groundbreaking, incorporating information from Lewis and Clark’s expedition.
- He utilized data from the Hudson's Bay Company archives to create accurate depictions of North America.
- His work contributed significantly to the understanding and mapping of previously unexplored regions.
- The business continued under his family, demonstrating a lasting impact on cartography and geographical knowledge.