Joan Blaeu (1599-1673)
Map of China
Map
Original antique hand colored copper engraving
46 x 60 cm
1655-1662, The Netherlands
Full title
Full title: China, Imperii Sinarum nova descriptio
The Novus Atlas Sinensis (New Atlas of China) was prepared by the Jesuit Priest Father Martino Martini of the Society of Jesus and published by Blaeu in 1655. The unique map is autographed by the author and coloured entirely by hand.
First European Atlas of China
The Atlas Sinensis, apart from the technical excellence of its production, is important as being the first European atlas of China. It remained the standard geographical work on China until the publication in 1737 of D'Anville's Atlas de la Chine.