Framed Willem Blaeu Wall Art

Willem Blaeu (Born 1571) was either born in Uitgeest or Alkmaar. His wall maps are considered by many to be among the most artistically virtuous and influential masterpieces of the era of baroque cartography. He founded a cartographic publishing firm at the age of 28. In 1608 the publication of the first set of Blaeu’s wall maps resulted in initiating his ascendancy to the top position in the map market globally. His wall maps were printed on paper or parchment, and he published several of them. All editions of his wall maps are extremely rare. Also rare are the framed Willem Blaeu art which are therefore highly priced by many collectors. The few of wall maps offered for sale in the recent past are all Italian copies, or later editions by Goos. His family has its origin on the island of Wieringen, where his grandfather was born around 1490. Blaeu’s family had a tradition of practicing the trade of herring packer. At an early age the artist went to Amsterdam to learn the herring trade. However, he didn’t like this work very much because he was more inclined to mathematics. During his time, the use of wall maps went beyond the desire for cartographic information, the wall maps were also used to promote a better understanding of politics or history, to express status, or to take the place of paintings. Blaeu’s early works include globes, maps of European countries and a world map. By 1608, he had already published a popular marine atlas and a fine world map.