The map by Gerritt Van Schagen (1642-1690) captures the European misconceptions of Africa typical of the late seventeenth century. The Nile appears to be rising from the three lakes of Zaire, Zembre and Zafflan. The prime meridian, the zero-degree longitude line, is plotted through the Canary Islands which to the ancients was the western edge of the inhabited world. The interior is decorated with monkeys, elephants, lions, rhinoceroses, leopard and ostriches. The sea is decorated with ships, whales and flying fish. The title cartouche in the upper left right is surrounded by two Africans, one holding a scorpion and the other a cornucopia with sea sprites at their feet. The elaborate decoration at the lower left is Neptune surrounded by his wife, Amphitrite, and their sons, the Tritons, along with Nereids, the sea nymphs. 52 x 62cm.
Map of Scandinavia by Justus Danckerts (1635-1701) includes the Baltic and part of Russia. The title cartouche with an armorer's forge and Swedish coat of arms probably alludes to Sweden's power in the late seventeenth century. 52 x 62cm
Map of Denmark with the Baltic Sea and the southern portion of Sweden by Justus Danckerts (1635-1701). Title cartouche displays the Danish coat of arms. 52 x 62cm.
Map of Portugal and Algarve by Johannes de Ram (1648-1693). The title cartouche in the upper left depicts cherubs holding the Portuguese coat of arms; a note within the cartouche explains that the longitudinal lines on the map are based from the prime meridian that runs through Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The scale cartouche in the lower right features Neptune with a trident and two cherubs holding the coat of arms of Algarve, then a semi-autonomous region of Portugal. Amsterdam. 52 x 62cm.
Map of France by Justus Danckerts (1635-1701) includes Belgium and Luxembourg and parts of Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and England. Title cartouche depicts a Roman soldier and other allegorical figures. Amsterdam. 52 x 62cm.
This map was engraved by Frederick de Wit (1630-1706), one of the most prominent and successful publishers in Amsterdam. The Holy Land extends from Sidon and Damascus to the Wilderness of Pharan in the Sinai. The decoration in the map relates to the Old Testament. At the bottom of the map is a depiction of an encampment of the Israelites during Exodus. The Twelve Tribes are around the perimeter and in the center the Tabernacle is illustrated with the Levites in attendance. Moses is at the left holding his staff and his brother Aaron is opposite. The caption in the sea refers to Lebanese cedars being sent by King Hiram of Tyre to King Solomon. The theme of the richness of the Promised Land is emphasized with the beautiful garland supported by the angels across the top, containing fruit, grapes and flowers. North oriented to the right. Amsterdam. 52 x 62cm.
