16th Century Prints

Ptolemaic map of the Arabian Peninsula based on the 1548 map of Giacomo Gastaldi. It covers nearly all of the peninsula, but does not include the head of the Red Sea. The coastlines ...

This detailed engraving depicts the capture of Tournai by the forces of the Duke of Parma in 1581. The scene shows the siege and conquest of the city with meticulous illustrations of...

This print depicts the Antwerp warship Fin de la guerre, a massive vessel constructed during the Siege of Antwerp (1584-1585). It is a copperplate-engraved oblique profile of the D...

This engraving illustrates the capture of Limburg by Spanish forces under the command of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, in 1578 during the Eighty Years' War. The scene vividly dep...

Title: Rare 1592 Woodcut of Deer from Sebastian Münster's "Cosmographia" Description: This remarkable woodcut, published in Basel in 1592, originates from Sebastian Münster's mon...

Antique print titled 'Das rennen und stechen'. Engraving of a Medieval tournament. This print originates from 'Thurnier Buch. Von Anfang, Ursachen, ursprung und herkommen (..)' b...

"Rare 1582 Copper Engraving of Hanseatic House, Antwerp by Guicciardini" This copper engraving, published in 1582 by Christoph Plantin in Antwerp, presents the impressive Hanseatic ...

Antique print titled 'Abbildung der Statt Rom/wie sie under Keyser Vespasiano und zu Plinii zeiten gewesen'. Woodcut of ancient Rome. This print originates from Munster's Cosmographi...

This is an original engraved print from 1585, depicting the construction plans for the ship bridge built by the Duke of Parma during the Siege of Antwerp in the Eighty Years' War. ...

The antique print titled 'Francenbergum, vel ut alij Francoburgum Hassiae Opp', published by Braun & Hogenberg around 1599, is a remarkable historical ...

Antique map titled 'Indiae Orientalis Insularumque Adiacientium Typus'. Ortelius includes early European depictions of both Japan and China and is the first to name Formosa (Taiwan). The Philippines and East Indies or Spice Islands are shown based upon Portuguese and Spanish sources, and before their penetration by the Dutch. Japan is shown in kite form, as a large oval island...

Antique print titled 'Leodium'. View of Liège / Luik, Belgium with surrounding hills and the city wall. With text explaining the origins of Liège, a cartouche expressing thanks to th...

Antique map titled 'Tabula Asiae XI'. Based on the interpretations of Solinus and Munster, this Ptolemaic map covers the region roughly of Thailand and Malaysia. An oddly shaped (Mal...

Description: Antique print, titled: 'CXLVI. Virgo Neapolitana in Italia' - This rare early plate shows a virgin woman from Naples, Italy in 16th century costume. From: 'Habitus praec...

A very rare - finest quality - mid 16th century Italian Renaissance engraving (after Raphael) by an anonymous pupil of MARCANTONIO RAIMONDI (1480-...

This is a wonderful bird's-eye plan/view of the oldest city in Sweden. Visby, the largest city on the island of Gotland was an important Viking city and the main centre of the Hanseatic League...

Antique map titled 'Daniae Regni Typus' and 'Oldenburg Comit'. A nice example of Ortelius maps of Denmark and Oldenburg, which first appeared in the 1584 edition of his Theatrum Orbi...

Beautiful map in excellent condition. This map depicts the city of Douai (France) and originates from 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum'.

Original antique woodcut of a military scene. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engravers: Anonymous. Condition: Good, general age-rel...

Beautiful and rare antique map of Greece with Albania, Mecedonia, Romania, Dalmatia and the peninsula of Salento to the Golf of Taranto. Also clearly shown the islands of the Aegaian...

Antique print titled 'Sit ferns exardet in circo tarus aperto, Cum sua terribili petit irritamina cornu'. No. 18 by A. Stradanus depicting a bull fight in Spain. Published in 1576.

This 16th century French engraving illustrates an episode in the Trojan War – although the actual one illustrated is in question. According to recent scholarship, it depicts the corp...

Antique print titled ''Ernestus Ferreus Arch'. **Ernest the Iron (1377-1424)** Background: Ernest the Iron, also known as Ernst der Eiserne, was a member of the House of Habsburg....

A rare engraving titled “IN ADAM OMNES MORIUNTUR” (All die in Adam) by Johann Sadeler after a work by Maerten de Vos, depicting Adam taking the forbidden fruit from Eve. Signed and...

The 'Battle for the Kauwenstein Dijk', engraved and titled Pugna in Aggerere Covenstio Anno 1585, depicts a significant battle during the Siege of Antwerp on 26 May 1585. The engraving illustrates the fierce combat around the Kauwenstein embankment, where the Spanish forces under the Duke of Parma attempted to cut off supplies to the city of Antwerp, leading to intense fighting. The scene vividly portrays soldiers engaged in close combat, naval forces in the background, and smoke rising from the battlefield as cannon fire and musket shots fill the air. The embankment, partially breached, is a focal point, showing the chaotic nature of the battle as forces from both sides converge. At the top, the title is inscribed in Latin, and a detailed legend (A-O) at the bottom provides further explanations about various parts of the battle, referencing key locations, troops, and actions. The detailed precision of the engraving reflects the high level of craftsmanship typical of 16th-century military engravings...

Antique map titled 'Insularum Aliquot Maris Mediterranei Descriptio'. A very attractive example of Ortelius' map combining, on one page, maps of the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corfu, Elba, Malta and Zerbi (Jerba, off the coast of Tunisia.) The maps detail fortifications on the islands and other major features. (Jerba, for instance, is shown connected to the mainland by a causeway.) The waters are attractively engraved and are sailed by ships. A shipwreck, north of Malta, indicates the point at which St. Paul is thought to have shipwrecked. Volcanoes are indicated in the Sicily map...

A 16th century page of sheet music from Feria VI Quatuor Temporum Adventus or Ember Friday of Advent. sight: 11 ½ by 17 ½ inches frame: 19 ½ by 25 ½ inches

Antique Map of Douai (France) titled 'Duacum, Catuacorum Urbs, tam situ, quam incolis, et litterarum studijs elegantissime ornata'. This map depicts the city of Douai (France) an...

Title: Rare 1592 Woodcut of Exotic Animal from Sebastian Münster's "Cosmographia" Description: This intriguing woodcut, published in Basel in 1592, is from Sebastian Münster's gr...

Original Antique map of Asia, India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Maldives by Rosaccio / Ruscelli in attractive coloring. Title: Calecut Nuova Tavola Year: 1599 Relief shown pictorially. ...

Title: Portrait of Abraham Ortelius Engraved by Philippe Galle, first published in 1579, featured in the *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum*. Description: This is a meticulously detailed portrait of Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598), the renowned Flemish cartographer, geographer, and creator of the first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. This copperplate engraving, crafted by the master engraver Philippe Galle (1537–1612), was first published in the 1579 edition of Ortelius’s groundbreaking work. The image presents a bust-length profile of Ortelius facing to the left, emphasizing his austere yet intellectual presence. He is depicted wearing formal attire typical of the late Renaissance period, including a richly textured doublet with a fur-lined collar and a finely detailed ruff around his neck. His aged, yet determined face, with a pointed beard and furrowed brow, symbolizes his deep dedication to the study of geography and cartography. Surrounding the portrait is an elaborate architectural and floral frame, characteristic of late 16th-century Mannerist designs, which conveys a sense of both intellectual grandeur and artistic sophistication. At the top of the frame is a "Chi Rho" symbol, representing Christ, and emphasizing the religious underpinnings of Ortelius's worldview. The Latin inscription below the portrait reads: "Spectandum dedit Ortelius mortalib. orbem, Orbi spectandum Galleus Ortelium" ("Ortelius gave the world to be seen by mortals, Galleus gave Ortelius to be seen by the world.") This suggests the lasting legacy of Ortelius’s work in mapping the known world and how Galle, through his engraving, immortalized Ortelius himself. About the Engraver: Philippe Galle (1537–1612) was a prominent Flemish engraver and publisher, known for his precision and technical skill in copperplate engraving. Galle often worked with leading figures of his time, producing prints that highlighted important cultural, intellectual, and political figures. His engraving technique involved etching intricate lines and textures onto a copperplate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper to produce highly detailed prints. His collaboration with Ortelius on this project further solidified his reputation as a master engraver. Why Ortelius was Important: Abraham Ortelius is celebrated as one of the founders of modern cartography. His atlas, *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum* (Theatre of the World), published in 1570, was the first to gather a comprehensive collection of maps into a single, standardized volume. This work marked a turning point in the history of geography by establishing a modern understanding of world mapping. Ortelius also significantly contributed to geographic knowledge by incorporating information from various cartographers, which helped to unify mapmaking practices across Europe. Ortelius's work not only aided navigators and explorers but also influenced scholars and rulers in their understanding of the world. His reputation extended well beyond his home in Antwerp, making him one of the most respected intellectuals of his time. Keywords: Abraham Ortelius portrait, Philippe Galle engraving, 1579 Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Renaissance cartography, Ortelius atlas, historical cartographer portrait, copperplate engraving, Mannerist engravings...

Antique map titled 'Artesia'. Original antique map of the Artois region, France. Published by A. Ortelius, circa 1590.

One sheet with two engraved maps, one on each site, and text in Italian. Late 16th century copper engravings in great condition, considering its age. "Tavola Decima Dell'Asia" - Tabula Asiae X" Plate X (10). Pakistan, Cashmir, Bangla Desh, North-India...

This engraving, titled *Pons Antverpianus Scaldi impositus*, represents the famous ship bridge constructed by the Duke of Parma over the Scheldt River during the Siege of Antwerp in ...

Antique map titled 'Westmorlandia, Lancastria, Caernvan, Denbigh, Flint, Merionidh, Dalopia cum issulis Mania et Anglesey'. Original antique map of England...

Antique print titled 'Groeninga'. View of the city of Groningen, the Netherlands. This map originates from 'Cosmographia' published by Münster. Artists and Engravers: Sebastian Münster...

A framed hand-colored 16th century map of Northern Scotland by Gerard Mercator entitled "Scotiae pars Septentrionalis", published in Amsterdam in 1636. It is a highly detailed map of the northern part of Scotland, with the northwest Highlands and the cities Inverness and Aberdeen, as well as the Orkney Islands and the Hebrides. There is a decorative title cartouche in the upper left corner. The map is presented in an antiqued brown wood...

Title: Tabula Asiae XI - 1599 Very old and decorative map of India, Sri Lanka and the Maledives. Put this map in a frame on the wall and amaze your visitors. This original engravi...

Albrecht Dürer 16th Century Old Master Engraving The Sudarium Of Saint Veronica Good condition overall, framed and mounted under protective glass....

Antique print titled 'Huum Opp. Condrusorum Caput (..)'. Attractive bird’s eye view of Huy in present day Belgium. The view shows the city from the northeast. Huy, a municipality of ...

A very fine impression of this map of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, with Singapore denoted as 'Cinca Pula'. Highly distorted and inaccurate map by Girolamo Ruscelli after J...

Antique print titled 'Lympurch - Limburgum Oppidum (..)'. Attractive bird’s eye view of Limbourg in present day Belgium. Limbourg (or Limburg) is a city and municipality of Wallonia ...

Antique map titled 'Caletensium et Bononiensium (..)'. Two detailed regional maps on one sheet. The first map shows Belgian and French Coastal region, from Estaples to Gruerlinge...

Antique print titled 'Wie die Burger von Amstelredam der Staten volck Wider auß der Statt treiben'. Original antique print showing the troops of William of Orange battling with the c...

Antique map titled 'Frisia Occidentalis'. Old map of the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. This map is also known as the 'Pauwenkaart' ('peacock map'), referring to the peacock next to the inset map. Based on a manuscript map...

Antique print titled 'Groeninga'. View of the city of Groningen, the Netherlands. This map originates from 'Cosmographia' published by Münster. Artists and Engravers: Sebastian Münster...

Antique map titled 'Aegypti recentior descriptio - Carthaginis Celeberrimi sinus typus'. Two detailed regional maps by Ortelius. One map shows the region around the Nile, as far as A...

Antique map titled 'Picardiae Belgicae regionis descriptio'. Original antique map of the Picardy region, France. Published by A. Ortelius, circa 1590.

Antique map titled 'Westfalia cum dioecelsi Bremensi'. Original antique map of Germany. Published by Mercator/Hondius, circa '1620' 17th Century antique detailled map of Westphali...

Antique map titled ‘Bolzvardia vetus in Frisia Foederis (..)’. Old map of the city of Bolsward, Friesland. Originally part of a sheet together with the cities of Stavoren, Harlingen ...

Antique print titled 'Egrana civitas olim de imperio Romanorum (..)'. Important early view of the walled town of Eger, or Cheb, in the Czech Republic, including the city's coat of ar...

Antique print, titled: 'CXXII. Veneta Mulier' This rare early plate shows a woman from Venice, Italy in 16th century costume. From: 'Habitus praecipuorum populorum tam virorum qu...

Antique map titled 'Dordrecht'. Map of the city of Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Bird's-eye plan view of the city, with many ships and two coats of arms in upper corners. This map ...

Antique print titled 'Wie die Burger von Amstelredam der Staten volck Wider auß der Statt treiben'. Original antique print showing the troops of William of Orange...

Antique print titled 'Basiliensis territorii descriptio nova'. Old map of the Basel region, Switzerland. Originates from 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum' by A. Ortelius. Artists and...

Antique map titled 'Frisia Orientalis'. Beautiful map of east Frisian islands and the northwestern tip of Germany, Ostfriesland. With people in local costumes. Ornamented inset of the Eems estuary. Based on a manuscript map...

Antique print, titled: 'Sigibertus I Metensis Rex (…)' Original and very rare antique print showing a full length portrait of Sigebert I (c. 535 – c. 575), the Germanic king of...

Antique print Hungary titled 'Contrafehtung der Festung Tokay'. Birds eye view of the fortress Julaof Tokay, Hungary, surrounded with Turkish troops. Originates from a German edi...