Joan Blaeu (1598-1673)
City map of Culemborg
Bird's-eye view of the city
Original antique hand-colored map
lb Cartouch with coat of arms of Culemborg
ro Legend
39 x 52 cm
1655-1662, The Netherlands
Golden Age
The maps in Blaeus issue 'Toonneel der staden' are the ultimate in the Dutch production of printed city maps in the 17th century. They have played an important role in the image of a viable Republic of the United Netherlands.
In 1649 the first edition of the city atlas of the Netherlands was published in Latin. A short time later, probably in 1652, a Dutch edition appeared. The part with the cities in the Netherlands consists of two bands: one with the cities under Spanish rule and one with the cities in the hands of the States General.
City maps
The part with the cities of the Republic contains about 130 sheets with maps, while the part with the cities of the Southern Netherlands has just under 100 sheets.
Some pages contain several small maps, but the vast majority consist of beautifully engraved maps in folio format.
Although Blaeu used some copperplates from previous publishers, the maps are mainly from his own studio. Most cities were thus depicted on new copper plates, based on examples that were often sent by the city authorities. If a current map image was not available, Blaeu asked for a revised version of an older map.