Danube map – Blaeu, c. 1640

“Danubius fluvius Europae maximus”, copper engraving published approx. 1640 by Willem Blaeu. With original hand colouring. Verso: blank. Size: 41,6…

Read more

Danubius fluvius Europae maximus”, copper engraving published approx. 1640 by Willem Blaeu. With original hand colouring. Verso: blank. Size: 41,6 x 96,7 cm.

This dramatic map of the “Danube, Europe’s largest river” depicts the course of the river and the surrounding countries from its headwaters in the Black Forest of southern Germany to its delta at the Black Sea. The river flows through a series of broad and fertile valleys with several of eastern Europe’s most important cities on its banks.

This is one of Blaeu’s largest atlas maps, printed on two joined sheets. Two magnificent cartouches, one of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Ottoman Sultan, representing the long struggle between the two powers for control of the region. The other, around the scale, has allegorical figures of the various tributaries of the river.

Price: SOLD