Anthony Woodd Gallery

Joan Blaeu (23 September 1596 – 28 May 1673) was a Dutch cartographer born in Alkmaar, the son of cartographer Willem Blaeu. Joan published the first atlas of Scotland, devised by Timothy Pont. In 1662 he reissued the Atlas Novus, also known as Atlas Maior, in 11 volumes, and one for oceans.

 

In 1635 they published the Atlas Novus (full title:Theatrum orbis terrarum, sive, Atlas novus) in two volumes. Joan and his brother Cornelius took over the studio after their father died in 1638. Joan became the official cartographer of the Dutch East India Company. Created famous maps after the discoveries of Abel Tasmans in which he dipicted the solar system according to Copernicus, which show the earth revolving around the sun. Blaeu's map was copied for the map of the world set into the pavement of the Groote Burger-Zaal of the new Amsterdam Town Hall, designed by the Dutch architect Jacob van Campen (now the Amsterdam Royal Palace).