Luxembourg by P. Kaerius (Van den Keere), published by C.J. Visscher. c. 1610-1650
Pieter Van den Keere (Petrus Kaerius) (1571-c.1650)
Pieter van den Keere was born in Ghent in 1571 as the son of the type-founder, Hendrik van den Keere. In 1584, he moved with his family to London for religious reasons. There, Van den Keere received training as an engraver from Jodocus Hondius, his brother-in-law. Not only the companionship with Jodocus Hondius but also the acquaintanceship with Pieter van den Berghe (Petrus Montanus), author of the text of the Germania Inferior, originates from the years of refuge in London.
Upon their settlement in Amsterdam in 1593, both Keere and Hondius embarked on a monumental project. Their collaboration resulted in the creation of a large wall map of Europe, a masterpiece that still stands as a testament to their skill and vision, dated 1595: Nova totius Europae descriptio.
In 1610, he set up a workshop in the Kalverstraat that he called ‘In den onseeckeren tijd’ (In the uncertain time). During this period, he made numerous copperplates, including maps for his Atlas of the Netherlands and the Atlas Minor published by Jodocus Hondius.
The Germania Inferior (1617) is the first original atlas of the Netherlands published in folio size. The text for the atlas, both in Dutch and in French, was written by Petrus Montanus. After 1623, Claes Jansz. Visscher bought the plates and substituted his name for Kaerius’s. In 1634, Visscher included many of these maps in his Germana Inferior.
Kaerius's fame is not only based on his atlas of the Netherlands. He is even better known as an engraver of many loose-leaf maps and as a collaborator of book publishers. His maps are found, i.e., in the Caert thresoor (Barent Langenes, 1598), Licht der Zeevaert (Blaeu, 1608), Atlas Minor (Hondius, 1628), and Caertboeck vande Midellandsche Zee (Barents, 1595).
Lutzenburgensis Ducatus Veriss. Descript.
Item Number: 30933 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Luxembourg
Old, antique map of Luxembourg by P. Kaerius (Van den Keere), published by C.J. Visscher.
Title: Lutzenburgensis Ducatus Veriss. Descript.
Iacobo Surhonio Monta Auct.
CJVisscher Excu Anno 1625
With an inset view of the town of Luxembourg ('Luxenburgum') and costume figures ('Luxenburgi').
Cartographer: Jacques de Surhon.
Date of the first edition: 1617.
Date of this map: 1634.
Date on map: 1625.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Map size: 380 x 490mm (14.96 x 19.29 inches).
Sheet size: 500 x 700mm (19.69 x 27.56 inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured in outline, on heavy paper, browned.
Condition Rating: A.
Separate publication - from a French Composite Atlas, c. 1610-1650.
Appeared in: Belgium sive Germania Inferior continens provincias singulares septemdecim iuxta artem Geographicam perfectissime descripta, variisque regionum partibus distinctis tabulis aucta per N.J. Piscatorem. Anno 1634. (Koeman, III, Vis1 A) - A rare experimental atlas, a few copies are known.
An old French handwritten explanatory text is in the side margins.
Pieter Van den Keere (Petrus Kaerius) (1571-c.1650)
Pieter van den Keere was born in Ghent in 1571 as the son of the type-founder, Hendrik van den Keere. In 1584, he moved with his family to London for religious reasons. There, Van den Keere received training as an engraver from Jodocus Hondius, his brother-in-law. Not only the companionship with Jodocus Hondius but also the acquaintanceship with Pieter van den Berghe (Petrus Montanus), author of the text of the Germania Inferior, originates from the years of refuge in London.
Upon their settlement in Amsterdam in 1593, both Keere and Hondius embarked on a monumental project. Their collaboration resulted in the creation of a large wall map of Europe, a masterpiece that still stands as a testament to their skill and vision, dated 1595: Nova totius Europae descriptio.
In 1610, he set up a workshop in the Kalverstraat that he called ‘In den onseeckeren tijd’ (In the uncertain time). During this period, he made numerous copperplates, including maps for his Atlas of the Netherlands and the Atlas Minor published by Jodocus Hondius.
The Germania Inferior (1617) is the first original atlas of the Netherlands published in folio size. The text for the atlas, both in Dutch and in French, was written by Petrus Montanus. After 1623, Claes Jansz. Visscher bought the plates and substituted his name for Kaerius’s. In 1634, Visscher included many of these maps in his Germana Inferior.
Kaerius's fame is not only based on his atlas of the Netherlands. He is even better known as an engraver of many loose-leaf maps and as a collaborator of book publishers. His maps are found, i.e., in the Caert thresoor (Barent Langenes, 1598), Licht der Zeevaert (Blaeu, 1608), Atlas Minor (Hondius, 1628), and Caertboeck vande Midellandsche Zee (Barents, 1595).