מפה עתיקה משנת 1598 של TERRA SANTA.מצויירת וצבועה ביד, ממוסגרת עם זכוכית. גודל 50 על 36 סמ'. “TERRA SANCTA…..” ...

מפה עתיקה משנת 1598 של TERRA SANTA.מצויירת וצבועה ביד, ממוסגרת עם זכוכית. גודל 50 על 36 סמ'. “TERRA SANCTA…..” Antwerp: Abraham Ortelius, c. 1598. Very fine engraved map with later hand-coloring. Verso text French. One of the most desirable of all the early maps of the Holy Land. (Laor #543; Nebenzahl, Maps of the Holy Land, pp 86-87 - illustrated; Van den Broecke #173). 

This superb map of the “Holy Land” is based on Christian Sgrooten’s (Schrot) map of 1570. It is centered on Samaria, with north oriented to the left, & depicts the region from Beirut to Gaza, & Damascus to Beersheba. Decorative features from both the Old & New Testament are included:

The lower vignette shows Jonah falling from a ship into the gaping jaws of an immense fish; the title cartouche is surmounted by three medallions: (center) birth of Christ, (left) Crucifixion, & (right) Resurrection.

Published in Theatrum Orbis Terrarum - the “first modern atlas”. Ortelius used the most current available information - making his maps cartographically important. This map, with its rich hand-coloring, elegant lettering, elaborate title cartouches showing strap-work, masks & medallions, plus sea monster & ships at sea, depicts the Holy Land with a clearly Renaissance flavor.