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Name:Willem Blaeu
Dates: 1571-1638 Map Type: Copperplate engraved atlas maps printed on handmade paper, often with original colouring. |
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The Blaeu Family
One of the masters of early seventeenth century Dutch map making, Willem Blaeu spent two years studying cartography under the Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe. His career began from here as he perfected his skills making globes, maps and navigational instruments in Amsterdam in 1596. Over the following years the firm of Blaeu produced remarkable sets of maps dealing with all fields of cartographic investigation, some of the more noteworthy being: Terrestrial and Celestial Globes (published around 1599), Sea Atlas (1608), World Atlas (1630) and General Atlas of Towns (1644).
Until 1617 Willem Blaeu signed his maps Guilielmus Janssonius or Willems Jans Zoon. After that date his maps bear the appellation, Guilielmus or G. Blaeu. In 1633 he achieved the most important position in Dutch cartography when he was appointed mapmaker to the Dutch East India Company. After his death in 1638, the Blaeu legacy continued to expand and prosper under the direction of his sons, Cornelius Blaeu who died only four years after his father in 1642, and Joan Blaeu (1596-1673).
In 1645 Joan Blaeu published perhaps the most well-known county atlas of England and Wales. This featured superbly detailed, and aesthetically refreshing maps, based mainly on the earlier works of Christopher Saxton and possibly John Speed, though generally without as much decoration, and more precision. The resulting tome, Atlas Novus is still regarded as not less than a cartographic masterpiece.
Until 1617 Willem Blaeu signed his maps Guilielmus Janssonius or Willems Jans Zoon. After that date his maps bear the appellation, Guilielmus or G. Blaeu. In 1633 he achieved the most important position in Dutch cartography when he was appointed mapmaker to the Dutch East India Company. After his death in 1638, the Blaeu legacy continued to expand and prosper under the direction of his sons, Cornelius Blaeu who died only four years after his father in 1642, and Joan Blaeu (1596-1673).
In 1645 Joan Blaeu published perhaps the most well-known county atlas of England and Wales. This featured superbly detailed, and aesthetically refreshing maps, based mainly on the earlier works of Christopher Saxton and possibly John Speed, though generally without as much decoration, and more precision. The resulting tome, Atlas Novus is still regarded as not less than a cartographic masterpiece.
Willem Janzoon Blaeu
1571-1638