Skip to main content

Abraham Ortelius Art

Dutch, 1527-1598

Abraham Ortelius is widely recognized as the inventor of the atlas and one of the most prominent geographers in history. He is one of the best known and most frequently collected of all sixteenth-century mapmakers, and today, hand-colored, copperplate-printed Abraham Ortelius maps continue to command avid interest.

Ortelius was the eldest of the three children of an Antwerp merchant. After his father's death when he was ten, he was raised by his uncle Jacob Van Meteren — a financier and printer of early English versions of the Bible. Ortelius entered the Guild of Saint Luke in 1547 to become a map copier and colorist, but his hobbies overshadowed his studies. 

Ortelius was better known as a student of history and a collector of books and old coins than a cartographer — only initially garnering modest praise for his skills at mapmaking. Gleaning what he learned from his uncle, he became a dealer in books and prints. In 1554 he attended the annual Frankfurt Book Fair, where he met the highly respected cartographer Gerardus Mercator.

Ortelius refocused his work in mapmaking after that fateful encounter. He eventually published Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theater of the World) — a comprehensive collection of maps that he bound into a book. It was the first of its kind and is now recognized as the first modern-day atlas. While creating his atlas, Ortelius observed that the coast of America shared geometrical similarities with the shores of Europe and Africa. When he lined up maps of the coastlines of the continents, they matched — much like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. 

Some have argued that the concept of continental drift is at least partly rooted in Ortelius’s 16th-century-era suggestion that the continents had once been joined together as a single mass of land before the Americas were pulled away from Europe and Africa. Much later, in 1912, German meteorologist Alfred Wegener proposed in a lecture and an article that the continents had once been locked together based on data he collected. Wegener was widely ridiculed at the time, but the foundation of modern-day science of plate tectonics has its origins in his work.

On May 18, 2008, a Google Doodle celebrated the 300th anniversary of Ortelius’s atlas.

On 1stDibs, find original Abraham Ortelius prints, landscape prints and more.

to
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
7
11,442
2,867
2,493
1,538
1
2
Artist: Abraham Ortelius
AMERICAE - Sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio
AMERICAE - Sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio

AMERICAE - Sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Santa Monica, CA

ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527 - 1598) AMERICAE SIVE NOVI ORBIS, NOVA DESCRIPTIO, 1587 (1603) (Van Den Broecke 11, Burden 64; Schwartz & Ehrenberg 69) Engraving. A very good, well printed...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Northern Italy: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Abraham Ortelius
Northern Italy: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Abraham Ortelius

Northern Italy: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Abraham Ortelius

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a framed 16th century hand-colored copperplate map of northern Italy entitled "Veronae Urbis Territorium a Bernardo Bragnolo Descriptium" by Abraham Ortelius from his atlas "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum", which was the first modern atlas of the world, with the first volume published in 1570. This map was part of a subsequent volume, published in Antwerp in 1584. It was based on an earlier map by Bernardo Brognoli. This beautiful map of northern Italy is focussed on Verona and its environs, including Mantua. Lake Garda and the South Tyrol mountains are prominently depicted. There is a very large striking cartouche in the upper left and a decorative distance scale in the lower right. This striking hand-colored map of northern Italy is presented in a gold-colored wood frame and an olive green-colored mat. It is glazed with UV conservation glass. All mounting materials used are archival. The frame measures 21.5" high by 28" wide by 0.75" deep. There is a central vertical fold, as issued, with slight separation of the lower portion of the fold. There are faint spots in the upper and right margins, but the map is otherwise in very good condition. Abraham Ortelius (also known as Ortels, Orthellius, and Wortels) (1527-1598) was a Dutch cartographer, geographer, and cosmographer. He began his career as a map colorist. In 1547 he entered the Antwerp guild of St Luke as an "illuminator of maps". He had an affinity for business from an early age and most of his journeys before 1560, were for business. He was a dealer in antiques, coins, maps, and books. 
His business income allowed him to acquire an extensive collection of medals, coins, and antiques, as well as a large library of books...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Related Items
Daniel Marot's The Siege of the Dutch Fortified City of Ypres by Louis XIV
Daniel Marot's The Siege of the Dutch Fortified City of Ypres by Louis XIV

Daniel Marot's The Siege of the Dutch Fortified City of Ypres by Louis XIV

By Daniel Marot

Located in Alamo, CA

"Ypres, Grand Ville Riche & Marchande" is an engraving and etching by Daniel Marot (le Vieux) (1661–1752). It depicts a view of the siege of the city of Ypres and its citadel on the left in the Spanish Netherlands by Louis XIV's troops. This battle took place between March 18 and March 25, 1678, as part of the Franco-Dutch War. Marot illustrated in great detail (best appreciated with magnification) the French attack on the strong pentagonal citadel on the extreme left, which had been built recently in anticipation of a French attack. The trenches built by the French approaching the town are seen on the right. King Louis XIV can be seen in the foreground surveying the battle mounted on his white horse, surrounded by his officers and troops. The print is presented in an attractive ornate black wood frame with a cream-colored double mat with a black inner trim. It is glazed with plexiglas. The frame measures 25.38" x 22.63" x .88". The engraving, frame, mat and glazing are in excellent condition. Artist: Daniel Marot (1661–1752) was also called "Le Vieux". He was the son of the famous architect, Jean Marot. Marot had diverse interests and talents. In addition to his art, he designed garden projects, architectural ornaments, furniture, and even upholstery. Marot as a Huguenot protestant was forced to leave France in 1685 following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. He emigrated to Holland, where he worked for William of Orange (an arch enemy of his former employer Louis XIV). Marot was largely responsible for the interiors of Williams palace at the Loo. In 1694 he went Britain as William had married Queen Mary and he had become King William III of England. He later returned to Holland in about 1698 and died in the Hague in 1752. He left a lasting legacy on the decorative arts in the Netherlands, where his grand version of the Louis XIV style remained popular into the 1730s. Historical Background: In October 1677, Mary Stuart, niece and possible successor of Charles II of England, married Louis XIV's arch enemy William III of Orange...

Category

Late 17th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving, Etching

Set of Four Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscape Art
Set of Four Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscape Art

Set of Four Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscape Art

By Treadway Russell Nash

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

Artist: Treadway Russell Nash (English, 1724-1811) Title: "A View of Stourbridge", "A View of Upton upon Severn, from Ryal Hill", "Bewdley", and "Tenbury" Portfolio: Collections for the History of Worcestershire Year: 1781-1782 (First edition) Medium: Set of Four Original Engravings on watermarked laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: John Nichols, London, UK Publisher: T. Payne and Son, J. Robson, B. White, Leigh and Sotheby, London, UK; Fletcher, Oxford, UK; and Lewis, Worcester, UK Sheet size (each): approx. 10" x 16.5" Image size (each): approx. 6.88" x 11.75" Reference: Upcott III, page 1330 Condition: A few light handling creases. Have been professionally stored away for decades. They are all strong impressions in excellent condition Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. All four works were engraved by English artist Thomas Sanders (Active: Mid-Late 18th Century) after drawings by himself. Comes from Nash's two volume "Collections for the History of Worcestershire", (1781-1782) (First edition), which consists of 75 engravings. Each work is printed from one copper plate in one color: black. There was a (Second edition) "with Additions" bound in with Volume II of this portfolio published by John White in 1799. And, both the First and Second editions of "Collections for the History of Worcestershire" are based off Thomas Sanders' 1779-1781 "Perspective Views of the Market Towns within the County of Worcester". Both "A View of Stourbridge" and "A View of Upton upon Severn, from Ryal Hill" have unidentified fleur-de-lis watermarks in the center of their sheets. "Bewdley" has an unidentified watermark in the center of its sheet resembling "XV" and "Tenbury" has no watermark. Biography: Treadway Russell Nash (24 June 1724 – 26 January 1811) was an English clergyman, now known as an early historian of Worcestershire and the author of Collections for the History of Worcestershire, an important source document for Worcestershire county histories. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Treadway Russell Nash was born on 24 June 1724 born at Clerkenleap, in Kempsey, Worcestershire. His family were from Ombersley. They had lands there and at Claines, and had later bought lands in the Reformation around St Peter's, Droitwich. He was related to James Nash and John Nash, both MPs for Worcester. His father Richard, a grandson of Sir Rowland Berkeley, died in 1740, and Richard's eldest son in 1757. As a result, Treadway Russell Nash inherited the Russells' Strensham estates from his brother, as well as the Nash estates, and took both names. He was educated from the age of twelve at King's School, Worcester, and became a scholar at Worcester College, Oxford aged fifteen. In March 1749, he accompanied his brother on a trip to the continent, to aid Richard's health. They visited Paris for about six weeks, before spending the summer "on the banks of the Loire". They then visited "Bourdeaux, Thoulouse, Montpelier, Marseilles, Leghorn, Florence, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Padua, Verona, Milan, Lyons, and again Paris"; such expeditions are often known as the Grand Tour. On his return in late summer 1751, Nash took up a post as Vicar of Eynsham through his friend and future brother-in-law, John Martin. He also had an income as a tutor at Oxford. He took his Doctor of Divinity degree and left Oxford, having "gone out grand compounder", following the death of his brother. He also left his benefice at Eynsham in 1757. While at Oxford he had proposed a road from there to Witney (now the A40 and B4022), and also stood for Parliament. Nash married Margaret Martin...

Category

1780s Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Laid Paper, Engraving

Ancient Roman Architecture: Original Framed 18th C. Etching by G. Piranesi
Ancient Roman Architecture: Original Framed 18th C. Etching by G. Piranesi

Ancient Roman Architecture: Original Framed 18th C. Etching by G. Piranesi

By Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Located in Alamo, CA

"Veduta del Sepolcro della Famiglia Plauzia per la Strada Che Conduce da Roma a Tivoli vicino a Ponte Lugano" from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities), one of the most famous works by Piranesi. "Antichita" illustrates the tombs along the Appian Way...

Category

Early 18th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Etching, Engraving, Drypoint

Frankfort, Germany: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Braun & Hogenberg
Frankfort, Germany: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Braun & Hogenberg

Frankfort, Germany: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Braun & Hogenberg

By Franz Hogenberg

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a 16th century original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of Frankfort, Germany entitled "Francenbergum, vel ut alij Francoburgum Hassiae Opp" by Georg Braun & Franz Hogenberg, from their famous city atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", published in Cologne, Germany in 1595. This is an English translation of an excerpt from the original text in the atlas: "Frankenberg or, according to others, Francoburgum, a town in Hesse. Charlemagne vested the town of Frankenberg with many freedoms and privileges, which it still enjoys to this day, and on account of its valiant and victorious soldiers awarded a signet, upon which there formerly appeared a golden castle with a tower, together with the letter F and a golden crown. Frankenberg, seen here from the northeast, lies on a hill above the River Eder. The hillside is covered with fields neatly separated by bushes and fences. Soaring above the town is the massive Liebfrauenkirche, which was modelled on St Elizabeth's church in Marburg. The New Town was founded in 1335 at the foot of the hill (right) and merged with the Old Town as late as 1556. Frankenberg was founded by Conrad of Thuringia in 1233/34 to prevent the archbishops of Mainz from expanding their sphere of influence...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Urban Scope Etching and Aquatint, Signed, 21st Century, 19/50
Urban Scope Etching and Aquatint, Signed, 21st Century, 19/50

Urban Scope Etching and Aquatint, Signed, 21st Century, 19/50

By Michael Di Cerbo

Located in New York, NY

“Urban Scope” is an etching, aquatint, and drypoint, with hand colored. Created in 2006 in an edition of 50. This impression is inscribed “19/50” – meaning it is the nineteenth imp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching, Aquatint

Red Roses: A Framed 17th C. Hand-colored Botanical Engraving by Basilius Besler
Red Roses: A Framed 17th C. Hand-colored Botanical Engraving by Basilius Besler

Red Roses: A Framed 17th C. Hand-colored Botanical Engraving by Basilius Besler

By Basilius Besler 1

Located in Alamo, CA

"Rosa ex rubro nigricans" (Red Roses); a hand-colored copper engraving from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. This engraving is presented in a glossy silver and matte gold-colored wood frame with a green edge and an elaborate double cream-colored French mats with light mauve bands; each accented by a broad decorative marbleized green band. It is glazed with plexiglass. There is text offset and a very small crease in the left margin, but the print is otherwise in excellent condition. Provenance: W. Graham Arader Gallery...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

SNOWSCAPE, RED BRICK COTTAGE Signed Wood Engraving, Country House Arched Window
SNOWSCAPE, RED BRICK COTTAGE Signed Wood Engraving, Country House Arched Window

SNOWSCAPE, RED BRICK COTTAGE Signed Wood Engraving, Country House Arched Window

By Bernard Brussel-Smith

Located in Union City, NJ

SNOWSCAPE, RED BRICK COTTAGE is an original wood engraving by the American artist Bernard Brussel-Smith, hand printed in light blue, light red and black ink on Strathmore cream color...

Category

1970s Realist Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Asia Declineatio: A 17th Century Hand-colored Map of Asia by Justus Danckerts
Asia Declineatio: A 17th Century Hand-colored Map of Asia by Justus Danckerts

Asia Declineatio: A 17th Century Hand-colored Map of Asia by Justus Danckerts

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a scarce 17th century beautifully hand-colored copperplate engraved map of Asia entitled “Exactissima Asiae Delineatio in Praecipuas Regiones Caerterasque Partes divisa et de...

Category

Late 17th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per Frederick deWit 1666 map
Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per Frederick deWit 1666 map

Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per Frederick deWit 1666 map

Located in Paonia, CO

Map of Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per F de Wit 1688 engraving from: Atlas Contractus Orbis Terrarum Praecipuas ac Novissimas Complectens Tabulas. Amsterdam, N. Visscher, 1656-77. (Koeman III, Vis5-8) This highly decorative map of the Middle East is by the Dutch engraver, publisher, and map seller...

Category

1660s Realist Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Restaurant in Mott Street
Restaurant in Mott Street

Restaurant in Mott Street

By Charles Frederick William Mielatz

Located in New Orleans, LA

The image depicts a restaurant on New York's Mott Street with ornamental iron work on the balconies. There are six figures in the scene in various stages of contrast. Mott Street is considered the unofficial Main Street of New York's Chinatown. Ella Fitzgerald sang it best: “And tell me what street compares with Mott Street in July? Sweet pushcarts gently gliding by.” CFW Mielatz was an early influence on the drypoints and etchings of Martin Lewis. This piece was created in 1906 and it is signed in pencil. It is part of the collection of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art C.F.W. Mielatz American, 1860-1919 Born in Bredding, Germany in 1864, Mielatz emigrated to the United States as a young boy and studied at the Chicago School of Design. Mostly self-taught, his first prints were large New England landscapes reminiscent of the painter-etcher school of American Art. Around 1890 he started to produce prints of New York City and by the time of his death, the number totaled over ninety images. He was a master technician in the field of etching, reworking many of his plates to get the exact feeling he was seeking. Mielatz was a member of the New York Etching...

Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood, 18th century engraving
Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood, 18th century engraving

Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood, 18th century engraving

By Colen Campbell

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood in Sussex the Seat of his Grace the Duke of Richmond and Lenox &c Copper-line engraving with later hand-colouring by Hendrik Hul...

Category

18th Century English School Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Previously Available Items
Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) - 17th Century Engraving, Map of the Holy Land
Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) - 17th Century Engraving, Map of the Holy Land

Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) - 17th Century Engraving, Map of the Holy Land

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Corsham, GB

An early 17th or late 16th century map showing the land of Canaan with an inset map depicting the wanderings of Abraham, the first patriarch of Judaism. Surrounded by 22 medallions s...

Category

18th Century Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Collection of 110 original maps by Abraham Ortelius - 1584
Collection of 110 original maps by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

Collection of 110 original maps by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Roma, IT

Collection of 110 original etchings by Abraham Ortelius, 1584, with coeval hand watercoloring. From the series "Theatrum Orbis Terrarus", Antwerp created by Abraham Ortelius and Cri...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Etching

Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584
Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Roma, IT

Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) is an original Artwork realized in 1584 by Abraham Ortelius (also Ortels, Orthellius, Wortels; Antwerp, 4 or 14 April 1527 – Antwerp, 28 June 1598). Origina...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Etching

Aegypti Map - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584
Aegypti Map - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

Aegypti Map - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Roma, IT

Aegypti Map (Map of Egypt) is an original Artwork realized in 1584 by Abraham Ortelius (also Ortels, Orthellius, Wortels; Antwerp, 4 or 14 April 1527 – Antwerp, 28 June 1598). Origi...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Watercolor, Etching

HOLY LAND Original Engraved Map
HOLY LAND Original Engraved Map

HOLY LAND Original Engraved Map

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Santa Monica, CA

ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527 – 1598) ABRAHAMI PATRIAR:CHAE PEREGRINATIO, ET VITA. - 1608-12 Abrahamo Ortelio Antverpiano auctore (Van den Broecke 183 1608/1612Iv) ...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM
TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM

TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Santa Monica, CA

ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527 – 1598) TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM 1570-5 (Shirley 122: Van Den Beck 1.2) First plate of 3 as published in 1575 - showing repairs to the crac...

Category

16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Art

Materials

Engraving

Abraham Ortelius art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Abraham Ortelius art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Abraham Ortelius in engraving and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and earlier and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large Abraham Ortelius art, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Adriaen van Ostade, Cornelis Bega, and Marius Bauer. Abraham Ortelius art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,580 and tops out at $4,500, while the average work can sell for $3,040.

Artists Similar to Abraham Ortelius