Lot #53: Framed Nicolas Visscher Map of the World

Contemporary full-color reprint of cartographer Nicolao Visscher's Orbis Terrarum Nova et Accuratissima Tabula--A New and Most Accurate Map of the World. The original first appeared in an atlas of 1658, and was a black and white rendering of the two hemispheres, with the addition of the two poles, creating a balanced and symmetrical arrangement. Visscher, 1618-1679, was a Dutch cartographer, whose father was an engraver and publisher, and whose shop the younger Visscher joined. His own son inherited the shop and continued making and publishing maps, and later his son's widow ran the publishing business until her death in 1726. This map was considerably enhanced by the illustrations of mythical scenes, by Nicolaes Berchem, a painter of the Dutch Golden Age, who likewise trained under his father, a painter of still lifes. Berchem traveled the continent, and became a successful painter of landscapes and historical scenes in the Italianate style. His additions here include vignettes with Aurora, Poseidon, Demeter, as well as cherubs and satyrs. Double matter and framed under glass in a gilt rope motif frame. Dimensions: 27"W X 24"H Pickup category timeslot {A}