Contemporary hand-colored engraving by Joan Blaeu, 1580
€90.00
This authentic antique print, measuring 22 cm × 22 cm , created by Joan Blaeu as a fine example of Contemporary hand-colored engraving work from the 16th Century (1500s).
Published by Braun, Hogenberg, it is preserved in Very Good condition and displays remarkable period craftsmanship.
1 in stock
This Antique Bolsward Map titled ‘Bolz Vardia vetus in Frisia Foederis Anna teutonicae Op.’ offers a detailed 16th‑century view of the Frisian city. Braun and Hogenberg published this contemporary handcoloured engraving around 1580 for their world‑famous city atlas. The map shows the fortified layout of Bolsward with its canals, bridges, and surrounding countryside, reflecting the town’s historic charm and importance.
The engraving measures 22 x 22 cm and remains in very good condition, with ample margins on the right and bottom sides as published. Rich hand colouring enhances the clarity of streets and architectural details. This map combines accurate cartographic design with the artistic elegance that made their atlas a masterpiece of Renaissance mapmaking.
Collectors of antique maps and Dutch town plans prize this Bolsward Map by Braun and Hogenberg for its historical value, decorative colouring, and vivid presentation of one of Friesland’s most picturesque medieval cities.
Joan Blaeu (1596–1673) was a leading Dutch cartographer and publisher, born in Alkmaar and the son of Willem Blaeu, a famed mapmaker. He succeeded his father as the official cartographer of the Dutch East India Company in 1638. Blaeu was renowned for his elaborate atlases and maps, including the monumental “Atlas Maior,” published in 1662, which featured 11 volumes with nearly 600 beautifully engraved maps. His maps were known for their scientific accuracy, artistry, and detailed decorative elements such as cartouches and vignettes.
Blaeu’s work incorporated recent geographical discoveries and cosmological knowledge, such as the heliocentric model. He was a prominent figure in Amsterdam’s cartographic and civic communities, serving on the city council. Blaeu’s atlases became status symbols for their size, beauty, and cartographic innovation, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of cartography.
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 | 22 × 22 cm |
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| Artist | |
| Condition | |
| Era | |
| Frame | No Frame |
| Orientation | |
| Technique | Contemporary hand-colored engraving |
| Published by | Braun, Hogenberg |
| Publish Date | 1580 |
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)
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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.
