Utriusque Castiliae nova descriptio.

Title

Utriusque Castiliae nova descriptio.

Description

Decorative map of Extremadura, New Castile (Castilla la Nueva), Old Castile (Castilla la Vieja), and parts of the neighbouring kingdoms. The map is decorated with a title cartouche containing a coat of arms and putti. At upper left appears the royal coat of arms of Spain, in use from 1580 to 1668 (during the reigns of Philip II, Philip III, Philip IV, and Charles II). Additional decorative elements include a dedication cartouche with coat of arms, an index cartouche, and a mileage scale cartouche. Authors: Nicolaes Visscher and Johannes Janssonius; published by Nicolaes Visscher. Latin text on the verso.

ca. 1660

Artist

Visscher (1618-1679)

Nicolaes Visscher I (1618 -1679) Amsterdam was a Dutch engraver, cartographer and publisher. He belonged to the Dutch art dealer, engraver and publisher dynasty founded by his father Claes Janszoon Visscher. After his father's death in 1652, he took over his father's art publishing house and initially continued publishing the atlases and maps that his father had begun. He then began publishing works under his own name. Together with his son Nicolaes Visscher II (1649-1702), he engraved a large number of printing plates, further replenishing the publisher's stock. The atlases "Atlas Contractus", "Atlas Minor" and "Germania Inferior" contain about 170 plates. After N. Visscher's death, some of Visscher's copper plates passed to Petrus Schenk II (1693-1775), who used them for numerous reprints.

Historical Description

Castile is a historic region in central Spain and played a decisive role in the formation of the Spanish state. The Kingdom of Castile emerged in the 11th century and grew into one of the most powerful kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula. The marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1469 laid the foundations for the unification of Spain. After the conquest of Granada in 1492, the Reconquista came to an end, and Spain developed into one of Europe's great powers. Castile is known for its vast high plains, medieval castles, and historic cities such as Burgos, Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo. Today, the historic region is mainly divided between the autonomous communities of Castile and León and Castile–La Mancha.