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ORBIS TERRARUM NOVA ET ACCURATISSIMA TABULA
VISSCHER, NICOLAS, 1658
Image Quality:
High
This map portrays the world as it was known in the late seventeenth century, presented in the form of large eastern and western hemispheres, with smaller northern and southern polar projections. There are several omissions, ambiguities, and misconceptions, including tentative and fragmentary renditions of Australia and New Zealand, and erroneous delineation of the west coast and interior of North America. The prevalent misconception of California as an island is seen, and there is no hint of Alaska or the Great Lakes.
Surrounding the geographic images are beautiful allegorical representations of the four classical Greek elements. Fire is represented at the upper left by Pluto abducting Persephone to the underworld (Hades). At the upper right, Air is represented by Zeus and Hera being carried across the heavens in a chariot drawn by eagles. At the lower right, Earth is represented by the harvest goddess, Demeter. Water is represented at the lower left by Poseidon, god of the sea.
This elegant hand colored engraving represents a synthesis of science and art, typical of the outstanding Dutch cartography of its time.
Surrounding the geographic images are beautiful allegorical representations of the four classical Greek elements. Fire is represented at the upper left by Pluto abducting Persephone to the underworld (Hades). At the upper right, Air is represented by Zeus and Hera being carried across the heavens in a chariot drawn by eagles. At the lower right, Earth is represented by the harvest goddess, Demeter. Water is represented at the lower left by Poseidon, god of the sea.
This elegant hand colored engraving represents a synthesis of science and art, typical of the outstanding Dutch cartography of its time.
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Map - Page 1 - ORBIS TERRARUM NOVA ET ACCURATISSIMA TABULA
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