Antique Map of Peru, 1638.

Striking antique map of Peru engraved in the XVII (1638), original from the period and with color details painted by hand. The map is a work by Jan Janssonius, prestigious Dutch engraver who, together with his brother-in-law Henricus Hodicus, created two basic cartography works: the Atlas Novus and the Atlas Magnus. The map that we can see in these images belongs to an ancient edition of the Atlas Novus and remains in great condition; the paper shows some signs of foxing but is not torn, and preserves the colors and the black engraved drawing in amazing condition. At the back of the map we can see the printed description of the territory in Latin. The hand-painted details that decorate the map are painted with yellow, pink, red, blue and brownish colors. The yellow tone marks the coasts and the borders of the country, and the rest of the frontiers and coasts are painted pink. The coast also bears a fine brown shadow painted with dark watercolor; this detail creates a very realistic feeling. At the bottom of the map, in the part where the sea is supposed to be we can see a lovely wind rose and three delicate caravels, probably a symbol of the ones led by Christopher Columbus in the discovery of America. At the top of the map there is an amazing colorful cartouche with the regions name. PERU, and two scales. At the bottom we can see the engravers signature, Ioannem Ianssonium. With its astonishing beauty and a long history behind, this fascinating antique map of Peru will shine on any wall. Measurements: Paper: Width: 19.4 in / 49.5 cm. Height: 14.9 in / 38 cm.Jan Janssonius History Jan Janssonius (Johannes Janssonius, 1588-1664) was a Dutch cartographer and published, famous for his contribution to the Hondius Atlas. The relationship between Janssonius and Hondius started in 1612, when the first married Jodocus Hondiuss daughter, Elisabeth de Hondt. Janssonius was the son of a Dutch published and bookseller. He produced his first maps of France and Italy in 1616. In 1623 he owned a bookstore in Frankfurt am Main and later he opened other shops in different European cities. In 1630 Janssonius teamed up with his brother in law, Henricus Hondius, and they started publishing the famous Mercator/Hondius/Janssonius atlases. Under the Atlas Novus name, in 1638 the work was composed of three volumes; in 1646, a volume with English County Maps came out. In 1660 the work changed its name for Atlas Major it already consisted of eleven volumes with the work of about a hundred credited authors and engravers. It included a town atlas, an Atlas Maritimus and the Atlas of Heavens by Andreas Cellarius. After Janssoniuss death, the publishing company was continued by his son-in-law, Johannes van Waesberg.