Joan Willemsz. Blaeu was a Dutch printer, cartographer and publisher of renowned atlases. In 1620 he received his doctorate in law (Leiden). Together with his father Willem Jansz. Blaeu, who founded the printing and publishing house, Joan is among the most famous cartographers in the world.
After the death of Willem Jansz. Blaeu in 1638, Joan and his brother Cornelis continued the business. When Cornelis died in 1642, Joan continued alone. In 1651 he became a member of the vroedschap of Amsterdam and later appointed alderman. In 1658, Joan was appointed examiner for the helmsmen of the VOC. In 1672, Blaeu lost his seat in the vroedschap to a princeling. Blaeu died on Dec. 28, 1673, and was buried in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam.
- Image: beautifully colored map of the region of Castile in Spain. There is a decorative title cartouche, legend, scale and three coats of arms. Published in Joan Blaeu’s Atlas Maior 1667, edition 10
- year: ca. 1635
- quality: very good, though there is a tear at the bottom near the center fold (see photos)
- signed: no
- image size: 41.3 x 50.3 cm | 16.3 x 19.8 in (h x w)
- sheet or frame size: 45.7 x 57.7 cm | 18.0 x 22.7 in (h x w)
