|
||
|
|
|
|
This circa 1634 map by Willem Janszoon Blaeu offers a finely detailed depiction of Switzerland, with Gerard Mercator credited for its design. The map is a notable example of Blaeu's work, featuring a rich array of geographical details from Basel at the top to the Italian Alps, including Lakes Maggiore and Como, at the bottom, and Lake Geneva on the left.
The map is a product of a period of intense cartographic activity in the 17th century, with Amsterdam emerging as the epicenter of map production. Blaeu, a prominent figure in this golden age of Dutch cartography, was known for his meticulousness and precision. This is evident in the map's extensive array of place names, including St. Moritz and St. Gall, among others.
In creating this map, Blaeu drew inspiration from Gerard Mercator, a pioneer of modern cartography. This is acknowledged in the inscription "Describebat Gerard' Mercator" on the map, reinforcing the connection between these two influential cartographers. It's a testament to the legacy of Mercator and the innovative spirit of Blaeu that they could create such a comprehensive and detailed portrayal of Switzerland during this period.
An engaging detail of this map is the depiction of two "typical" Swiss citizens at the lower right, adjacent to the mileage scale. This human element not only adds an aesthetic appeal but also provides a glimpse into the perception of Swiss culture during the 17th century. Overall, this map stands as a remarkable artifact of early modern cartography, embodying the precision of Blaeu's work and his respect for Mercator's contributions.
Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) was a prominent Dutch geographer and publisher. Born the son of a herring merchant, Blaeu chose not fish but mathematics and astronomy for his focus. He studied with the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, with whom he honed his instrument and globe making skills. Blaeu set up shop in Amsterdam, where he sold instruments and globes, published maps, and edited the works of intellectuals like Descartes and Hugo Grotius. In 1635, he released his atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive, Atlas novus.
Willem died in 1638. He had two sons, Cornelis (1610-1648) and Joan (1596-1673). Joan trained as a lawyer, but joined his father’s business rather than practice. After his father’s death, the brothers took over their father’s shop and Joan took on his work as hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company. Later in life, Joan would modify and greatly expand his father’s Atlas novus, eventually releasing his masterpiece, the Atlas maior, between 1662 and 1672.
![[Bern, Switzerland] Plan von der Stadt und dem Stadtbezirk Bern. Mit hoher Bewilligung des Tit. Stadt-Raths von Bern, aus den in Seinen Archiven liegenden geometr. Grundrissen ausgezogen, reduciert, gezeichnet, und zum Theil aufgenommen Ao. 1809 . . . Ao. 1811](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/90479.jpg)
![[France, Belgium, Switzerland and Gemany]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/75179.jpg)
![[Rhine River Region -- Basle to Strasbourg]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/75443.jpg)
![[6 Sheet Map] Theatre de la Guerre en Savoye et en Piemont -- Le Dauphine, La Bresse Partie du Lionnois et de La Provence](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/62561.jpg)
