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1657 Visscher Map of the Holy Land or the 'Earthly Paradise'
Gelengentheyt-visscher-1657$300.00
Title
De Gelegentheyt van 't Paradys ende 't Land Canaan mitsgaders de eerste bewoonde landen Der Patriarchen, uyt de H. schrifture en verscheyden Auctoren bij een gestelt door Nicolaes Visscher
1657 13 x 19 in (33.02 x 48.26 cm)
1657 13 x 19 in (33.02 x 48.26 cm)
Description
This is a splendid early example of Nicholas Visscher's important 1657 map of the Holy Land, or as it is titled (in rough translation) 'Paradise, or the Garden of Eden. With the Countries circumjacent Inhabited by the Patriarchs.' Covers the region between the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf (including the modern day regions of Israel, Palestine, Jordan Syria, Turkey & Iraq), and features a prominent the Garden of Eden located near the city of Babel ( Babylon ). The beautiful strapwork title along the top of the map is flanked on either side by cartouche scenes from Eden. In the Mediterranean, a sailing ship is being confronted by Jonas's whale. In the lower left quadrant, a decorative scale of miles is topped by an elderly fisherman – one of Visscher's marks. The map itself, combining actual and Biblical geography, is stunningly produced. Features the Land of Nod, the Garden of Eden, the Tower of Babel, and other semi-mythical locations. This map was drawn by Visscher as part of a five part map series for inclusion in Abraham van den Broeck's 1657 Dutch Staten Bible. This is the first edition of this important map series which would become basis for numerous other Biblical maps appearing through the 18th century, including those of Stoopendal , Krul and Maxon.
Cartographer
Claes Jansz Visscher (1587 - 1652) established the Visscher family publishing firm, which were prominent Dutch map publishers for nearly a century. The Visscher cartographic story beings with Claes Jansz Visscher who established the firm in Amsterdam near the offices of Pieter van den Keer and Jadocus Hondius. Many hypothesize that Visscher may have been one of Hondius's pupils and, under examination, this seems logical. The first Visscher maps appear around 1620 and include numerous individual maps as well as an atlas compiled of maps by various cartographers including Visscher himself. Upon the death of Claes, the firm fell into the hands of his son Nicholas Visscher I (1618 - 1679), who in 1677 received a privilege to publish from the States of Holland and West Friesland. The firm would in turn be passed on to his son, Nicholas Visscher II (1649 - 1702). Visscher II applied for his own privilege, receiving it in 1682. Most of the maps bearing the Visscher imprint were produced by these two men. Many Visscher maps also bear the imprint Piscator (a Latinized version of Visscher) and often feature the image of an elderly fisherman - an allusion to the family name. Upon the death of Nicholas Visscher II, the business was carried on by the widowed Elizabeth Verseyl Visscher (16?? - 1726). After her death, the firm and all of its plates was liquidated to Peter Schenk. More by this mapmaker...
Condition
Very good condition. Minor margin repair in upper right quadrant. Original centerfold. Else very good.
References
Poortman, Kaarten in Bijbels, #84.