Bilder Gerhard Mercator (1512–1594) – Map of Flanders – Belgium – Engraving (1633)

Beskrivning

"Flandria" presents a detailed cartographic representation of the County of Flanders, showing the region situated between the North Sea and the neighboring territories of Artois, Hainaut, and Brabant. The map is set within an oval frame with decorative corner spandrels and features North oriented to the right. This engraving is from the Mercator-Hondius Atlas, published by Henricus Hondius and Jan Janssonius in Amsterdam. The composition is enriched with several maritime and allegorical elements, including sailing ships, a sea monster, a compass rose, and a seated figure holding a heraldic shield in the lower foreground.

Gerhard Mercator was a preeminent Flemish cartographer and geographer who revolutionized the field of mapmaking during the sixteenth century. He is widely celebrated for the Mercator projection, which became an essential tool for nautical navigation by allowing sailors to plot straight-line courses. Mercator was also the first to compile a systematic collection of maps under the title Atlas, a project that was continued and expanded posthumously by his family and later by the Hondius publishing firm. His maps are recognized for their scientific accuracy, elegant engraving style, and clear topographical detail. He remains a foundational figure in the history of science and the development of modern global cartography.

Artist or Maker:
Gerhard Mercator.

Dimensions:
Approximately 57 cm x 42 cm.

Medium:
Engraving.

Date:
1633.

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.