World Map by Frederick de Wit
Scroll to zoom, click for slideshow

Weltkarte 1670

Frederick de Wit

€ 5.850

Inter-Antiquariaat Mefferdt & De Jonge

  • Über Kunstwerk
    FREDERICK DE WIT'S FAMOUS DOUBLE HEMISPHERE WORLD MAP “Nova Orbis Tabula in Lucem Edita, A[uctore] F. De Wit.” Copper engraving published in Amsterdam by Frederick de Wit, here in its second state from c. 1670. Coloured by a later (?) hand. Size (plate): 47.5 x 56 cm. This is one of the most attractive double-hemispherical world maps of second half of 17th century. The brilliant scnes in the corners combine images of the four season, the elements, and the signs of the zodiac in a well-balanced and naturalistic way. At top left is a personification of Spring, who also represents Virgo, with the element of Air billowing her robes. The bull of Taurus and the ram of Aries are shown to her right. The top right vignette represents Summer, with the shore in the background illustrating the element Water. A putti holds a lobster representing Cancer, and another holds the lion of Leo. The lower left scene represents Autumn and Earth with a wine-imbibing Bacchus and a scene of drunkenness The signs for Scorpio and Libra are held by two followers, while Sagittarius gallops in the background. Winter holds court in the final vignette, with the element of Fire shown to the left. Aquarius is represented by a child pouring water into a basin. A group of raucous children in the background hold a goat representing Capricorn and a fishing pole with the double fish of Pisces. The maps shows North America, with the Great Lakes appearing as one large semi-circle with an open western end, and the island of California is shown on the model of Henry Briggs with a flat northern coast, and a portion of Anian in the Pacific Northwest. South America has the mythical Lake Parime astride the equator, with the imaginary golden city of Manoa on its shores. Asia displays a Japan with an oversized Iedso (Hokkaido) shown on the map of the Western Hemisphere. A partial coastline for Australia is shown, and both New Zealand and Tasmania are indicated by only one stretch of coastline. Dutch discoveries are shown up to and including those of Abel Tasman 1642-1644. The inset of the North Pole shows Hudson’s Bay with two southern bays, and the inset of the South Pole is nearly blank save for the very tip of South America and Tierra del Fuego. The map includes two polar projections framed with floral wreaths and pairs of cupids.Frederick de Wit (1610-1698) became one of the most important Amsterdam-based publishers after the closing of the Blaeu firm in 1679. He published several atlases, Atlas Minor (1670), Zee Atlas (1675) and Atlas Maior (1690). This second world map by Frederick de Wit replaced earlier outdated map of 1660. Ref.: The Mapping of the World, Rodney Shirley, no. 451, plate 333. Price: Euro 5.850,- (incl. frame)      
  • Über Künstler
    Frederik de Wit wurde als Frederik Hendriksz geboren. Er wurde ungefähr 1629 in einer protestantischen Familie in Gouda, einer kleinen Stadt in der Provinz Holland, einer der sieben vereinigten Provinzen der Niederlande, geboren. Sein Vater Hendrik Fredericsz (1608, 29. Juli 1668) war ein Hechtmaecker aus Amsterdam, und seine Mutter Neeltij Joosten (gest. Vor 1658) war die Tochter eines Kaufmanns in Gouda. Frederik war am 29. August 1661 mit Maria van der Way (1632 - 1711), der Tochter eines wohlhabenden katholischen Kaufmanns in Amsterdam, verheiratet. Von etwa 1648 bis zu seinem Tod Ende Juli 1706 war De Wit lebte und arbeitete in Amsterdam. Frederik und Maria hatten sieben Kinder, aber nur ein Franziskus Xaverius (1666 - 1727) überlebte sie. Bis 1648, während des Höhepunkts des niederländischen Goldenen Zeitalters, war De Wit von Gouda nach Amsterdam gezogen. Bereits 1654 hatte er eine Druckerei und ein Geschäft unter dem Namen "De Drie Crabben" (die drei Krabben) eröffnet, der auch der Name seines Hauses in der Kalverstraat war. 1655 änderte De Wit den Namen von seinem Laden an die "Witte Pascaert" (die Weiße Karte). Unter diesem Namen wurden De Wit und seine Firma international bekannt.

Sind Sie daran interessiert, dieses Kunstwerk zu kaufen?

Artwork details