Hand-colored engraving by Joan Blaeu, 1649
€100.00
This authentic antique print, measuring 24.5 cm × 20 cm , created by Joan Blaeu as a fine example of Hand-colored engraving work from the 17th Century (1600s).
Published by Blaeu, it is preserved in Very Good condition and displays remarkable period craftsmanship.
1 in stock
This antique map of Oudewater was published in 1649 in Blaeu’s famous Townbook of the Netherlands. The handcoloured engraving presents the fortified town of Oudewater in the province of Utrecht with great precision. The map shows city walls, canals, streets, and surrounding fields, combining clear cartography with decorative colouring typical of Blaeu’s work.
This antique map measures 20 x 24.5 cm and is in very good condition, with the left and lower margins trimmed short. The colours are fresh and well-balanced. Collectors value this antique map of Oudewater for its detail, elegant layout, and historical significance within Dutch 17th‑century mapmaking. VAT: Margingoods, no VAT.
Explore all our City Views and antique map collection at our store located in the historic heart of Haarlem.
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 17th century greatly advanced mapmaking and printmaking, with copperplate engraving enabling cartographers to create detailed and accurate maps. During the Dutch Golden Age, increased trade and exploration boosted the demand for maps, turning map printing into a major industry. Skilled engravers carved designs into copper plates, applied ink, and pressed paper to produce fine prints. After printing, artisans hand-colored maps to enhance their beauty and clarity. Copperplate printing replaced woodcuts, offering smoother lines and finer details. Renowned mapmakers like Blaeu, Janssonius, and Hondius combined scientific knowledge with artistic skill. This era produced remarkable atlases, such as Joan Blaeu’s Atlas Maior. Maps not only charted geography but reflected political power, trade routes, and scientific discoveries. Printed maps became essential for navigation, colonization, and education. Dutch publishers led Europe’s map market, shaping global cartographic standards. These original maps remain prized for their detail and artistry, influencing future mapmaking and holding high value for collectors and museums today.
| Dimensions | 24.5 × 20 cm |
|---|---|
| Artist | |
| Condition | |
| Era | |
| Frame | No Frame |
| Orientation | |
| Technique | Hand-colored engraving |
| Published by | Blaeu |
| Publish Date | 1649 |
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.
