Title Page to Atlas Novus by William and JohnBlaev
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Title Page to Atlas Novus by William and JohnBlaev is a 1646 ink by Unknown 19th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a grand title page for an atlas. At the top, a shield with lions and a crown sits above a muscular man holding a flag labeled *BRITANNVS*. Flanking him are four smaller figures—each labeled *ROMANVS*, *SAXO*, *DANVS*, and *NORMANNVS*—dressed in armor or robes. The text reads *THEATRVM ORBIS TERRARVM*, with the Blaeu family name and the place *Amsterdam*. The central figure likely stands for Britain, while the others may represent different regions or powers. The intricate details and dramatic poses fit the style of the time. Next, look up engraving to see how artists carved these precise lines.
