Nicholas Visscher I (1618 - 1679) was a Dutch engraver, cartographer and publisher. The son of Claes Jansz Visscher (1587 - 1652), he was brought up in and carried on the family publishing firm after his father's death. During his tenurem, the firm produced an array of maps that introduced a new level of artistic flourish to the Dutch mapmaking trade: the 'Jansson-Visscher' map of the New Netherlands and New Engand provided the model map for that region for over a century, and his 1658 world map was hailed by Shirley as the 'master forerunner of a number of highly decorative Dutch world maps produced throughout the remainder of the century.' He received a privilege from Holland and West Friesland in 1677; after his death the firm was taken up by his son, Nicholas II (1649 - 1702). 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...

Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem (October 1, 1620 – February 18, 1683) was a respected and prolific Dutch Golden Age painter, particularly noted for his pastoral landscapes, allegories and genre pieces. His works were often populated with mythological figures. In the late 1650s he worked for Nicolas Visscher I, designing the latter's atlas and engraving (at least) the world map of that atlas. His work exemplified the Dutch Italianate landscape style of painting, employing classical ruins and pastoral imagery based on visits, or imagined visits to the Italian countryside. He was born in Haarlem, and was educated both by his father and an array of painters including van Goyen, de Grebber, Weenix, Wils and Moeyaert. He appears to have been an avid collector of prints as well: After marrying the daughter of his teacher Jan Wils, she kept him on a small allowance - but in order to support his collecting habit, he borrowed money from students and colleagues, later paying them back from the proceeds of paintings executed with his wife's knowledge. He was apparently a popular teacher with many painters having come up under his tutelage. We are not aware of how popular he may have been with his wife. Learn More...

Joan (Johannes) Blaeu (September 23, 1596 - December 21, 1673) was a Dutch cartographer active in the 17th century. Joan was the son of Willem Janszoon Blaeu, founder of the Blaeu firm. Like his father Willem, Johannes was born in Alkmaar, North Holland. He studied Law, attaining a doctorate, before moving to Amsterdam to join the family mapmaking business. In 1633, Willem arranged for Johannes to take over Hessel Gerritsz's position as the official chartmaker of the Dutch East India Company, although little is known of his work for that organization, which was by contract and oath secretive. What is known is his work supplying the fabulously wealthy VOC with charts was exceedingly profitable. Where other cartographers often fell into financial ruin, the Blaeu firm thrived. It was most likely those profits that allowed the firm to publish the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive, Atlas Novus, their most significant and best-known publication. When Willem Blaeu died in 1638, Johannes, along with his brother Cornelius Blaeu (1616 - 1648) took over the management of the Blaeu firm. In 1662, Joan and Cornelius produced a vastly expanded and updated work, the Atlas Maior, whose handful of editions ranged from 9 to an astonishing 12 volumes. Under the brothers' capable management, the firm continued to prosper until the 1672 Great Amsterdam Fire destroyed their offices and most of their printing plates. Johannes Blaeu, witnessing the destruction of his life's work, died in despondence the following year. He is buried in the Dutch Reformist cemetery of Westerkerk. Johannes Blaeu was survived by his son, also Johannes but commonly called Joan II, who inherited the family's VOC contract, for whom he compiled maps until 1712. Learn More...