Decorative Blaeu Map of Picardy with Costume Figures, France 1642

€ 3 450

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1642
Mapmaker / artist: Willem Jansz. Blaeu, Amsterdam, circa 1642
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand color
Sheet size: 50 × 59 cm (19.7 × 23.2 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: HP-006

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Very good with strong original color. Central fold as issued. Light toning and minor wear consistent with age.

About this sheet

Antique Blaeu Map Picardy Region France, Decorative Costume Cartouche 1642

This elegant map of Picardy (Picardia) in northern France was engraved and published by Willem Jansz. Blaeu around 1642. It is a prime example of the decorative richness associated with Dutch Golden Age cartography.

The geography is finely rendered with dense place names, road networks, and subtle landscape features. Particularly striking is the decorative cartouche featuring figures in regional costume, a hallmark of Blaeu’s ability to combine ethnographic interest with cartographic precision.

The balanced layout and refined engraving demonstrate the high production standards of the Toonneel des Aerdrycx atlas, widely regarded as one of the most important atlas publications of the 17th century.

A visually engaging piece that pairs beautifully with other Blaeu regional maps or stands alone as a decorative statement.

Framing tips: Ideal in a dark frame with a wide ivory mat to emphasize the decorative figures and cartouche.

Authenticity note:
This is an original 17th-century engraving, not a reproduction. The map is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only.