Hand-colored woodblock print by Jacob van Deventer, 1552
€165.00
This authentic antique print, measuring 19.5 cm × 17 cm , created by Jacob van Deventer as a fine example of Hand-colored woodblock print work from the 16th Century (1500s).
Published by Sebastian Münster, it is preserved in Very Good condition and displays remarkable period craftsmanship.
1 in stock
This Münster van Deventer Friesland Map was published in 1552 in Sebastian Münster’s Cosmographi. It is a hand-colored woodblock print. The map shows the provinces of Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, and part of Gelderland. This example comes from the Italian edition.
Van Deventer was a pioneering Dutch cartographer of the 16th century. His detailed provincial maps formed a foundation for later cartography. They were often used to decorate mansions and palaces. Van Deventer’s work applied early triangulation to create accurate regional maps.
This 1552 Münster van Deventer Friesland map is prized by collectors. It captures the complex land and water patterns of the northern provinces in fine detail. The map reflects a key period in Dutch cartographic history.
Explore our collection of Dutch maps.
Jacob van Deventer (c. 1500/1505–1575) was a pioneering Dutch cartographer of the Renaissance, celebrated for systematically mapping the towns and cities of the Habsburg Netherlands. Born in Kampen, he studied at the University of Leuven, where he was influenced by Gemma Frisius and adopted the technique of triangulation for mapmaking. Van Deventer produced detailed provincial maps including Brabant, Holland and Utrecht, Gelderland, Zeeland, and the northern provinces, combining geographic accuracy with artistic presentation. His most significant work was a vast project commissioned by King Philip II to map over 250 cities across the Netherlands with unprecedented precision and consistency, though these were unpublished at the time due to their military value. His maps served both as decorative wall art and practical military tools. Van Deventer’s cartographic legacy laid foundations for modern mapping and influenced generations of mapmakers.
The 16th century saw a strong growth in mapmaking and printmaking. Copperplate engraving revolutionized cartography, helping mapmakers create more detailed and accurate maps. At the same time, exploration, trade, and religious changes increased Europe’s need for reliable maps. Engravers cut designs into copper plates, inked them, and pressed paper to produce clear images. Afterward, artisans hand-colored many maps to enhance their appeal. This method replaced earlier woodcut printing, allowing finer lines and richer details. Influential figures like Marcantonio Raimondi and Gerardus Mercator contributed to this progress, sometimes collaborating or engraving their own maps.
Core innovators Abraham Ortelius, Gerard Mercator, and Jodocus Hondius blended science and art in their atlases. Their maps represented not only geography but also political power and cultural pride, supporting education and navigation. Today, maps from this period remain highly valued for their beauty and historical importance, inspiring future cartographical work and prized by collectors and museums worldwide.
| Dimensions | 19.5 × 17 cm |
|---|---|
| Artist | |
| Condition | |
| Era | |
| Frame | No Frame |
| Orientation | |
| Publish Date | 1552 |
| Published by | Sebastian Münster |
| Technique | Hand-colored woodblock print |
Our antique prints are carefully packaged to ensure safe arrival.
Smaller prints are shipped in acid-free, flat protective packaging, while larger works are securely rolled and sent in a sturdy tube to preserve their condition.
Netherlands: €7.50 —
European Union: €15
Outside the EU: On request (contact us for an exact quote)
We offer custom framing for all prints, from classic antique frames to contemporary minimalist styles.
Choose any print from the collection
We discuss frame styles, materials & pricing
The print will be professionally framed and shipped via courier for maximum safety
If you would like your print framed, please contact us, we are happy to advise on styles and options.
Our highest classification. These prints are clean, bright, and exceptionally well-preserved, featuring a strong and crisp image. No notable imperfections.
Prints in this condition show a clean, sharp image. Paper quality or margin size may vary slightly. Minor age-related characteristics, such as small wormholes, light toning, or tiny separations may be present depending on the print date.
No major imperfections. Any minor flaws or historical repairs are fully noted in the product description. Overall a well-preserved and collectible piece.
These prints show noticeable imperfections such as foxing, weaker image strength, or longer separations, but remain collectible. All visible characteristics are clearly described.
