1617 Visscher World

1617 Visscher World 

         This superb reproduction of the original antique hand colored copperplate engraved “Cartes a Figures – Double-Hemisphere World Map” from the National Library of Vienna is a superb two-sheet world map by Claes Visscher published circa 1617. It has no title and is undated. The engraving as a whole is a masterly combination of all the emblems of the age: the two hemispheres of the world, the heavens, mythology and the classical past, the pride of recent explorers, man’s duties throughout the changing seasons, and the Christian obligation of every being. The date of this masterpiece has been put at circa 1617 because of the absence of Le Maire’s strait which was marked on nearly all maps after this date. It is, of course, possible that Visscher’s map dates from a year or so earlier. Recognizing the supreme rarity of this map, Lahaina Printsellers acquired a photolithograph of the original in the National Library in Vienna. An agent personally transported the accurate but pallid rendering to Katmandu (Nepal) where we commissioned exiled Tibetan monks to recreate this rarity in minute detail. Using traditional techniques honed over the centuries the novitiate monks painted the map on cotton using hand mixed mineral and vegetable pigments. The quality of the monks’ labors represent a level of discipline, precision and artistic value that we feel is a resource that will have dissipated by the end of the millennium.

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What is a Mirrored Print & Gallery Wrap?

Canvas for Gallery Wrap

Take a good look at your print. The edges are mirrored, so that, the complete image is shown on the face of the frame once it is wrapped. In other words, You don’t lose any of the artwork. Our 2½” mirrored borders, allow your finished product to have a variety of thickness up to 2” deep. Therefore, make sure you choose an experienced framer who can make the frame to the exact specs of your custom print.

Hand-made Rattan Frames

Though the design has changed over the years, we commission these Rattan frames through a small family owned company in The Philippines. Your frame is the result of trial and error of the last 20 years! Rattan is a vine-like Palm that requires forest cover in order to thrive. Rattan grows throughout the jungle for over a quarter of a mile. Its trunk can span a diameter of over two inches down to the thickness of a human hair. The harvester’s collection process is performed by hand by a simple machete. Ultimately, the rattan vine cannot survive without the forest. Rattan quickly regenerates. As a result, this method of harvesting protects the destruction of the forest.

1617 Visscher World 

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