Willem Blaeu World Map, ca. 1640 – Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula

Rare 17th-Century Decorative World Map by Willem Blaeu – Seven Wonders, Four Elements, Planets and Seasons

A magnificent 17th-century decorative world map by Willem Blaeu, one of the most celebrated cartographers of the Dutch Golden Age. Titled Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula, this richly engraved world map combines the geographical knowledge of the early modern period with an extraordinary program of Baroque allegorical imagery, mythology, astronomy and classical history.

The map presents the known world of the early 17th century, including Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and the partially charted lands of the Southern Hemisphere. Terra Australis Incognita appears across the southern portion of the map, reflecting the geographical uncertainties of the period. The oceans are filled with finely engraved sailing ships, sea monsters and other maritime imagery, while the map itself is crossed by a network of latitude and longitude lines.

The decorative border is one of the most remarkable features of the map.

Across the upper border, the seven classical planets are represented by allegorical figures associated with the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These figures are accompanied by richly engraved scenes and classical imagery.

The lower border depicts the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Colossus of Rhodes, Great Pyramid of Giza, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and Lighthouse of Alexandria. Their inclusion transforms the map from a geographical document into a celebration of the known world and the achievements of ancient civilization.

The left border represents the Four Elements—Fire, Air, Water and Earth, while the right border represents the Four Seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Together, these elaborate figures create a complete visual framework surrounding the map of the world.

Within the map are several finely engraved Baroque cartouches, including the large cartouche identifying the Americas, as well as polar inset maps of the North and South Poles. The decorative program, Latin inscriptions and maritime imagery are characteristic of the great tradition of Dutch Golden Age mapmaking.

Blaeu's world maps are among the most celebrated examples of 17th-century Dutch cartography, prized by collectors for their geographical importance, superb engraving and extraordinary decorative design. This example is particularly striking because the map functions simultaneously as a world map, historical document and work of decorative art.

Cartographic Details

• Cartographer: Willem (Guiljelmo) Blaeu (1571–1638)
• Title: Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula, auct. Guiljelmo Blaeuw
• Date: ca. 1640
• Place of publication: Amsterdam
• Engraver: Jan van den Ende
• Technique: Copperplate engraving with original hand coloring
• Reference: State 4; Shirley 255, The Mapping of the World
• Map size: 41 × 54.4 cm (16.1 × 21.4 in.)
• Sheet size: 46.7 × 57.9 cm (18.4 × 23 in.)
• Verso: German-language text

Decorative Features

The map is especially notable for its elaborate engraved border depicting:

• Seven Classical Planets: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn
• Four Elements: Fire, Air, Water and Earth
• Four Seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
• Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Colossus of Rhodes, Great Pyramid of Giza, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Temple of Artemis, Statue of Zeus and Lighthouse of Alexandria
• Polar maps: North Pole and South Pole
• Maritime imagery: sailing ships and sea monsters
• Baroque cartouches and allegorical decoration

Geographic Coverage

The map depicts the known world of the period, including Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America, together with the partially known regions of the southern Pacific and Terra Australis Incognita. Numerous countries, kingdoms, regions, cities, rivers and other geographical features are engraved throughout the map, providing an extraordinary record of 17th-century geographical knowledge.

Condition

The map has been professionally restored. The bottom margin has been widened by approximately 1 cm, and the vertical centerfold has been flattened.

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