Bilder Frederik de Wit – Map of Westphalia (Westphaliae Circulus) – Copperplate Engraving – c.1690

Beskrivning

This finely detailed copperplate map depicts the Westphaliae Circulus (Circle of Westphalia), a major administrative and territorial region of the Holy Roman Empire located in present-day western Germany. The map includes key cities such as Münster, Osnabrück, Dortmund, and Paderborn, as well as rivers, fortified towns, forested areas, and political boundaries. The geographic coverage reflects the fragmented yet rich landscape of early modern German principalities.

The map is adorned with an elaborate title cartouche and scale bar, often featuring allegorical figures or heraldic elements typical of Frederik de Wit’s distinctive Baroque style. Designed for both political reference and artistic appreciation, the map reflects the accuracy and elegance for which Dutch cartography of the late 17th century is celebrated.

Frederik de Wit (1630–1706) was a leading Dutch engraver, cartographer, and publisher based in Amsterdam. His atlases and wall maps were widely circulated throughout Europe and admired for their precision, clarity, and decorative elements. De Wit's work played a major role in shaping geographic knowledge in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Artist or Maker: Frederik de Wit

Dimensions: Approx. 52 × 60 cm

Medium: Copperplate Engraving

Date: c.1690

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.