Septentrionalium Regionum Descrip.

A gorgeous map of ‘The Northern Kingdoms’, issued in the first modern atlas.

This striking double-page engraving represents one of the most significant and visually arresting maps of the North Atlantic produced during the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography. The highly decorative image offers a panoramic survey of the “Septentrional” or Northern regions, stretching from the coastline of northern Russia to the enigmatic shores of the New World. Apart from adding a touch of embellishment, the sea monsters reflect the unknown dangers ever present in the frigid waters.

A fascinating variety of cartographic myths is captured within the plate. Fantastical islands include Brasil, St. Brendan’s Isle, and Friesland, though the outlines of Groendlandt (Greenland) and Thule (Iceland) are clearly distinguishable (and very real). In the far north, a large river runs into the interior of the polar continent, allegedly home to a race of pygmies.

The map was originally issued in Antwerp as part of the 1592 Latin edition of Abraham Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the first ‘modern’ published atlas (i.e., a book containing standardized maps of the entire known world). This is the third state, as shown by the additional place names added to the coastline of the North Pole island. An update to the 1595 version would add the stippling effect to the area behind the text.

Source: Van de Broeck #160.