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Wonderful 17th-century engraved elevated view of Amsterdam, by Matthaus Merian in circa 1659.
The view shows dozens of ships at anchor along with barges on the Amstel in the foreground of the map, with the city extending behind. Drawn at the start of Amsterdam's Golden Age, the work portrays the city as a force to be reckoned with. The view shows two coats of arms including the famous three St. Andrew's Crosses.
The view is shown from the perspective from present-day Amsterdam Noord, looking south. The many canals, churches, and houses of the city can be seen, with the famous red rooftops extending as a sea into the distance. Green fields can be seen on the side of the map.
An index shows the names for twenty-four important buildings in the city. The famous Newe Kirke, Norderker, and Zuyderkerk are all shown.
Mathaus Merian (1593-1650) was the father of engraver Matthäus the Younger, and of the painter, engraver, and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian. He was born in Basel, Switzerland and trained in engraving in Zurich. After a time in Nancy, Paris and Strasbourg, he settled in Frankfurt. While there, he worked for Johann Theodor de Bry, the publisher and son of the travel writer. In 1617, he married Maria Magdalena de Bry, Johann Theodor’s daughter. In 1623, Merian took over the de Bry publishing house upon the death of his father-in-law. Merian’s best known works are detailed town views which, due to their accuracy and artistry, form a valuable record of European urban life in the first half of the sixteenth century
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