Canaan - Paradise; Claes Jansz. Visscher - DE GELEGENTHEYT VAN T' PARADYS ENDE T' LANDT CANAAN - 1621-1650

Claes Jansz. Visscher (C.J. Visscher)
The Paradise – 1642 (first state!!)

TITLE:
THE MISER THE AFFAIRS OF PARADISE AND THE LAND OF CANAAN, ACCOMPANIED BY THE FIRST INHABITANTS OF THE Patriarchs, from the Holy Scripture and various authors prepared by Claes Ianss. Visscher A°. 1642.

DESCRIPTION:
Very fine and richly informative biblical overview map of Paradise and the land of Canaan, published by Claes Jansz. Visscher in Amsterdam in 1642 and concerns the first state.

There are differences between the first and second state: The two biblical representations beside the title were re-engraved in later state. In the re-engraving of the Fall of Man, in addition to the other animals, a rabbit and three insects are visible. This is not the case on this map and therefore belongs to the first state (Poortman 229).

These differences also make the map interesting for the specialized collector who distinguishes states.

The map belongs to the well-known series of Old Testament maps by Visscher and is a striking example of 17th-century biblical cartography.

* Scale: ca. 1 : 4,500,000
* Sheet dimensions: ca. 30.5 x 47.5 cm
* Orientation: North up

FRONT:
The map shows the location of Paradise, Canaan, and the earliest inhabited lands of the patriarchs, based on the Holy Scriptures and various classical authors.

The title is at the top in a separate decorative frame. To the left of the title, the Fall of Man is depicted (Genesis 3:6); to the right, the Expulsion from Paradise (Genesis 3:24). These biblical scenes give the map a distinctly theological character.

In the lower right corner there is a frame with two scale bars (6.5 and 5.5 cm). Above these scale bars is an emblematic figure of a fisherman with a rod, compasses and nets — a symbolic reference to the name Visscher.

In the center of the map a compass rose is added. Among other things drawn on the map are:
* The desert journey of the Israelites
* Jacob’s journey from Ur to Canaan

Lower right outside the frame numbered: 1.

BACK:
On the verso side: “Explanation of the Geographical Description of PARADISE, Along with …”

Here about 26 numbered places are described that correspond to the numbering on the map. The spelling on the verso varies regularly, as does the font used — a common feature of 17th-century printing.

CONDITION:
This map has recently been professionally restored with tears reinforced with Japanese paper. This biblical map of 1642 is in reasonable condition, mold- and tear-free. The drawings on the map are sharp and place names clearly legible. See photos.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Claes Jansz. Visscher (1587–1652) was one of the leading Amsterdam publishers and mapmakers of the 17th century. His biblical maps were frequently used in States Bibles and other theological works.

This map is an impressive combination of cartography, theology and Baroque visual tradition, and forms a beloved collectible among collectors of:
* 17th-century Dutch cartography
* Holy Land maps
* Biblical engravings and topography
* Visscher editions

CONCLUSION:
A decorative and richly informative 17th-century map of Paradise, in first state, published in Amsterdam by Claes Jansz. Visscher.

An exceptional collectible for enthusiasts of old maps, biblical engravings and Dutch Golden Age cartography.