The Portuguese voyages brought about a dramatic revolution; they were the first real interaction among the cultures of the world in modern times and led to the creation of strikingly beautiful and highly original works of art. This incredible collection of images, drawn from a new Smithsonian exhibition, features more than 250 full-color reproductions of paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, maps, early books, and many other extraordinary creations from museums and private holdings around the world. Essays by leading authorities shed new light on the period, especially on the motivations behind Portuguese expansion, including the remarkable story of the search for Eastern spices. Altogether, this book offers an unforgettable insight into a new world during its formation.