Johannes Blaeu Collection

Map of Virginia and Florida, 1667 (hand-coloured engraving, vellum)
985771 Map of Virginia and Florida, 1667 (hand-coloured engraving, vellum) by Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673) (after); 54.6x35.7 (folio size) cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Map of Virginia and Florida)

Map of California shown as an island, c 1650. Creator: Johannes Vingboons
Map of California shown as an island, c 1650. This map from around 1650 shows California as an island. A half-century would pass before Spanish explorers determined with certainty that California was

The Isle of Anglesey, The Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight, 1650, (1946). Creator: Unknown
The Isle of Anglesey, The Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight, 1650, (1946). Three maps of islands off the coast of Britain

Map of Germany, c. 1644-1645 (hand-coloured engraving)
985772 Map of Germany, c.1644-1645 (hand-coloured engraving) by Blaeu, Willem (1571-1638) and Joan (1596-1673) (after); 50.6x33.4 (folio size) cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Map of Germany)

Ischia, 1642 (coloured engraving)
985753 Ischia, 1642 (coloured engraving) by Blaeu, Willem (1571-1638) and Joan (1596-1673); 49.2x65.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Ischia. From Theatrum orbis terrarum)

Plan and view of the towns and buildings of Holland and the Low Countries
986451 Plan and view of the towns and buildings of Holland and the Low Countries, 1649 (hand-coloured engraving) by Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673); 52.5x34

Map of China, from Atlas Maior Sive Cosmographia Blaviana
986216 Map of China, from Atlas Maior Sive Cosmographia Blaviana, 1662 (hand-coloured engraving) by Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673); Private Collection; (add.info.: Map of China)

Map of Iceland, from Atlas Maior Sive Cosmographia Blaviana
986215 Map of Iceland, from Atlas Maior Sive Cosmographia Blaviana, 1662 (hand-coloured engraving) by Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673); Private Collection; (add.info.: Map of Iceland)

Plate 12: Allegory on the Discord in France, from Caspar Barlaeus, " Medicea Hospes", 1638

Plate 8: Emperor Maximilian II granting a crown to the coat of arms of Amsterdam, from Caspar Barlaeus, " Medicea Hospes", 1638

Plate 13: Allegory on the Discord in France, from Caspar Barlaeus, " Medicea Hospes", 1638

Plate 7: The Marriage of Francisco I de Medici and Johanna of Austria, from Caspar Barlaeus, " Medicea Hospes", 1638

An orrery designed by the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, c1630. Artist: Joan Blaeu
An orrery designed by the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, c1630. From the Atlas Major by Johann Blaeu

Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer, (c1630). Artist: Joan Blaeu
Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer, (c1630). Brahe (1546-1601) aged 40, amongst his astonomical instuments. From the Atlas Major by Johann Blaeu

New England in 1660, (c1880). From Blaeus Theatre du Monde. In this curious map the north is at the bottom and the south at the top

The equatorial armillary of Tycho Brahe, 16th century. Artist: Joan Blaeu
The equatorial armillary of Tycho Brahe (14 December 1546 - 24 October 1601), from Joan Blaeus Le Grand Atlas. Brahe built this on the island of Huen to measure celestial latitude and longitude

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Johannes Blaeu: A Master Cartographer and Engraver Johannes Blaeu, a renowned Dutch cartographer and engraver, left an indelible mark on the world of maps and illustrations during the 17th century. His meticulous attention to detail and artistic flair can be seen in his various works, including the Map of Virginia and Florida from 1667. This hand-coloured engraving on vellum showcases Blaeu's expertise in capturing geographical features with stunning accuracy. Another masterpiece by Blaeu is the Map of Germany, created around 1644-1645. With its vibrant colours and intricate engravings, this map provides a comprehensive view of Germany's diverse landscapes and cities during that era. Not limited to terrestrial maps alone, Blaeu also ventured into depicting islands such as Ischia in 1642. Through his coloured engravings, he transported viewers to this picturesque Italian island with its charming architecture and breathtaking scenery. Blaeu's talent extended beyond mapping; he also crafted allegorical plates like Geographia Blaviana which showcased his creativity in blending artistry with geography. These symbolic representations added depth to his works while captivating audiences with their hidden meanings. One notable example is Plate 12: Allegory on Discord in France from Caspar Barlaeus' publication. Here, through intricate details and symbolism, Blaeu depicted the turmoil within France during that period - a testament to his ability to convey complex ideas visually. In addition to these allegorical plates, Blaeu produced detailed plans and views of towns across Holland and the Low Countries. One such example is Plate 8: Emperor Maximilian II granting a crown to Amsterdam's coat of arms - an homage to the city's rich history. His contributions were not limited solely to Europe; he also delved into mapping far-flung lands like China or Iceland for Atlas Maior Sive Cosmographia Blaviana.