AW7-255: Willem Janszoon Blaeu Kingdom of Galicia Colored Engraving Map Circa 1635

Kingdom of Galicia, a historical region in northwestern Spain Circa 1640

Dimensions: Sight 16 1/2" x 19 3/4" ; Frame 23 x 26 3/4"

COMMENTS: Circa 1640 - Willem Blaue is considered the greatest Dutch cartographer of all time. His maps are stunningly illustrated, filled with marvelous details, and are far more collectible (and valuable) than those by most of his contemporaries

The 17th century was probably the most important period in the making of modern Europe. It was during this time that Galileo and Newton founded modern science. It was also a time when cartographers drew inspiration from explorers and with the help and vision of publishers produced outstanding maps of Europe and the rest of the world in a manner that was more refined than ever before. The 17th century witnessed the birth of colonization, with several countries competing for wealth and power in America and Asia. The Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, English, and others, all struggled to maintain and extend colonies and trading posts in distant corners of the globe. This also necessitated the mapping of new sea routes and hence new lands that had earlier been ignored by mapmakers. It is not surprising therefore, that the names of so many cartographers, printers and publishers appear in the history of the 17th century. One man to whom we owe a great debt for his incredible contribution to the publishing of maps is Joan Blaeu, the eldest son of Willem Janszoon Blaeu. It was under the control of Joan that the Blaeu printing press achieved lasting fame by moving towards the printing of maps and expanding to become the largest printing press in Europe in the 17th century.
Until the late 1620s, the Mercator maps published by Jodocus Hondius II dominated the European market for world atlases. However, following the latter's death in 1629, and the growing competition in publishing sea charts and pilot books, the Blaeu business seized its opportunity to publish a grand world atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Atlas novus which was priceless in terms of its exhaustive contents.

This Blaeu regional map offers an early 17th Century depiction of the Kingdom of Galicia, a historical region in northwestern Spain. It extends from the Asturias de Oviedo region and Aviles in the Northeast to Bayona and the Portuguese border on the South, with Santiago de Compostela at the center. One of the primary features of the map is its detailed representation of the cities and natural features of the region. Major cities including Corunna, Mondonedo, Rivadeo, Lugo, Orense, Pontevedra, and Padron are illustrated meticulously. Each city is presented with architectural detail symbolizing castles and walled cities, signifying their fortifications and strategic importance during that period.  The map's level of detail offers a comprehensive view of Galicia's geographical context and human settlements. Blaeu's artistic talents are evident in the large decorative scale of miles cartouche embellished with a coat of arms held aloft by two cherubs. The coat of arms symbolizes the ruling power of the region, offering insights into the political context of the time. The title cartouche, intriguingly, is carried by Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. This highlights the maritime importance of Galicia, which, with its extensive coastline, played a significant role in navigation and sea trade during the age of exploration. This is further emphasized by the depiction of three sailing ships, a sea monster, and two compass roses. These elements, rich in symbolism and artistic detail, convey a sense of the adventure, danger, and mystery that characterized sea voyages of the period. The sea monster, in particular, is an imaginative representation of the unknown dangers lurking in the vast, unexplored oceans. During the 17th century, the Kingdom of Galicia underwent significant changes politically, economically, and culturally. As a historic region located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, Galicia was part of the greater Crown of Castile, which itself was part of the composite monarchy that made up Habsburg Spain. It held a distinctive place within this political landscape, thanks to its unique culture, language, and geography. Politically, Galicia was bound by the administrative and judicial system of the Habsburg Empire. However, its peripheral location resulted in a certain degree of autonomy. The local nobility exerted significant influence over regional affairs, often acting as intermediaries between the local populace and the royal administration. Economically, Galicia was predominantly rural, with its economy largely reliant on agriculture and fishing. However, the 17th century also marked the expansion of trade, particularly seaborne trade, which led to the development of Galician ports like Corunna and Vigo. This maritime activity was depicted in Blaeu's map, highlighting the important role Galicia played in the broader maritime network. Religion played a central role in 17th-century Galicia. The region was renowned for Santiago de Compostela, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites. During this period, the pilgrimage route, known as the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago), attracted tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe, fostering cultural exchange and contributing to the local economy. The 17th century also saw the spread of the Counter-Reformation in Galicia. As the Catholic Church sought to counter the spread of Protestantism, religious orders like the Franciscans, Dominicans, and Jesuits established monasteries and schools in the region. This had a profound influence on Galician society, contributing to an increase in literacy rates and the spread of Catholic doctrine. In the realm of culture, the 17th century was the period of the Seicento, or the Spanish Golden Age. Despite the dominance of Castilian culture, Galicia managed to retain its unique cultural identity. The Galician language, though under pressure from the increasingly influential Castilian Spanish, remained the common tongue of the people. The culture was further enriched by traditional music, folklore, and festivals, which continue to be a hallmark of Galician identity.