A superb and graphic map from a Dutch Bible depicting the land of Canaan with political divisions during the time of Christ. Fifteen vignettes illustrating the life of Christ surround the map, beginning with the genealogy of Jesus and ending with his appearance to the disciples after the Resurrection. The map is nicely detailed and is decorated with a strapwork scale cartouche, sailing ship and a compass rose orienting north to the left. Second state with D.R.M. Mathes added to imprint. Dutch text on verso.

This is the second series of Dutch bible maps by Petrus Plancius, first published in 1604 by Johannes Cloppenburg. The first series consisted of a world map and 4 small maps of the Holy Land and Middle East, engraved by Johannes van Deutecum and his two sons, Johannes and Baptista. After Johannes van Deutecum (the younger) published a new set of maps in 1595, Plancius realized that his own maps required updating. He commissioned Baptista van Deutecum to engrave the second series, who also enlisted the assistance of engravers Daniel van Bremden and Pieter Bast. Plancius' second series retained the same world map and 6 larger, re-engraved maps of the Holy Land and Middle East. The purpose of the maps was to help explain the biblical texts, but Plancius decided to take the maps one step further by adding 15 biblical vignettes surrounding each map, thereby transforming each map into a work of art.

References: Laor #569; Poortman & Augusteijn #80.

Condition: B+

A sharp impression on a bright sheet with a Strasbourg lily watermark, issued folding with light soiling at far right and archival repairs to a few minor tears and chips along the edges of the sheet. Narrow side margins, as issued.