Creator Blaeu Willem Janszoon (1571-1638) (Cartographer)

Date 1635

The Blaeu family were leading cartographers of the Dutch golden age. This world map is one of their master works. It predates Abel Tasman's discoveries of 1644 and shows the coast of Australia, suggestively referred to as 'Beach', as a vague projection (of Arnhem Land?) from the great southland 'Terra Australis Incognita'. The Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York represent the recorded limits of the East Indies. The map is decorated with scenes of the wonders of the ancient world, and gods representing the planets, the seasons and earth, air, fire and water.

Source: New York Public Libary