Blaeu atlas

Atlas Maior

The Atlas Maior, published by Joan Blaeu, is a cartographic highlight of the seventeenth century. This multi-volume work, containing hundreds of engraved maps, is known as the most expensive and famous world atlas of its time. Joan Blaeu had an international audience in mind when, from 1662 onwards, he published his most famous work, the Atlas Major (full title: J. Blaeu's Great Atlas, or World Description, in which the earth, sea, and heaven are shown and described. Third part of the Earth Description, which includes the Netherlands). The Atlas Major became his opus magnum, ultimately containing some 600 maps and some 3,000 pages of text, a nine-folio volume with editions in Dutch, Latin, French, German, and Spanish. It is the largest world atlas ever published. Its publication reflects the golden age of Dutch cartography, particularly in the first half of the seventeenth century. A revival of international trade was accompanied by growing wealth and prosperity for a segment of the population. At the same time, however, the Atlas Major also marks the transition to a period of decline. Stagnation, imitation, and a lack of critical thinking became the new watchwords of a cartography increasingly overshadowed by the achievements made, particularly in France.

Reuse of copper plates

The Atlas Maior provides a good overview of Dutch cartography at the time. The publisher made little effort to ensure they were up-to-date. Most of the maps were printed from copper plates used before 1638. Critical evaluation was neglected in the selection of the disparate material collected, and perfection was not pursued in the map editing process. The map images, sometimes with the exception of minor details such as decoration and heraldry, were not updated. This lack of substantive quality did little to diminish the admiration for the work.

Beautifully maintained

The book's enthusiasts' interest in it was and continues to be driven by its grandeur, its beautiful typography, its meticulous care, its artistic insight, and, of course, its sheer size. It was hardly surprising that such a treasure was cherished. Beautiful copies of the atlas have been preserved, bound in velvet, gold cloth, red or green leather, and featuring gold-stamped decorations or a family crest. Craftsmen were hired to enliven the maps with vibrant colors. Special furniture was designed to store the voluminous atlas volumes horizontally.