Author: Nicolaes Visscher
Year: 1652
This is a reproduction print of the historical world map “Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula” by Nicolaes Visscher, published in 1652 and later included in Atlas Minor sive Totius Orbis Terrarum Contracta Delinea.
The hand-colored map uses a Mercator projection and presents the world according to 17th-century geographical knowledge. It depicts the continents and oceans known at the time, including the discoveries around Hudson Bay and the St. Lawrence River, California shown as part of the mainland, and the speculative southern continent Terra Australis Incognita.
One of the map’s most distinctive features is its elaborate decorative program. Twelve Roman emperors, each depicted on horseback, are arranged along the top and bottom borders of the map. The sides feature groups of national figures and views of important cities, while the four corners contain allegorical representations of Europa, Asia, Africa, and America. Ships and sea monsters further enhance the richly illustrated design.
