Author:   Blaeu, Willem Janszoon   Date:   1635
Title:   Nova totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula   BIB:   10, 4, 7
In the seventeenth century, Holland led the world in cartography, and cartographer Willem Blaeu's work was among the best Dutch cartography of this time. Blaeu founded a cartographic dynasty involving his sons and grandsons which dominated the markets in the production of globes, atlases, marine charts, and finely made navigational instruments. This particular map was engraved in 1606 and later amended by permission of the Dutch East India Company who employed Willem Blaeu as their Hydrographer. It reflects the height of Dutch engraving and is highly collectible even today. The elaborate border consisting of drawings celebrating the planets, the elements, the seasons and the seven wonders of the world nearly upstages the map itself which is also liberally festooned with three cartouches, one of which is embellished with the figure of a native American. Two stereographic projections showing the polar regions are located in the bottom corners of the map. The actual map itself uses a Mercator Projection and is divided into four climatic zones which are designated along the edge of the map. The interior of the map is populated with ships, sea monsters and compass roses and is a quintessential example of a map designed as a work of art as well as a representation of geography.

Close Window
© University of Alabama
To purchase map reproductions, submit a quote request.
Download MrSID Plugin