Blaeu, Willem Janzoon. Africa nova descriptio. Amsterdam, 1630

Willem Janszoon Blaeu (Dutch, 1571-1638)

Africa nova descriptio 

from Blaeu's Novus Atlas

Amsterdam, c. 1640

This beautifully detailed map of Africa, created by the renowned Dutch cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeu, exemplifies the height of 17th-century Dutch cartography. Blaeu’s Africa nova descriptio offers a comprehensive view of the African continent as understood by European explorers and geographers of the early 1600s. Drawing upon both classical and contemporary sources, the map outlines the continent’s major regions, rivers, and coastal settlements with impressive accuracy for its time, while the vast interior remains largely speculative, reflecting the limits of European exploration.

The map features striking decorative elements, including elaborate cartouches, sailing ships, sea monsters, and vignettes of indigenous animals such as elephants and lions, all of which evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about Africa. It also highlights key coastal trade hubs that were central to European maritime expansion and commerce during the Age of Exploration.

Blaeu’s Africa nova descriptio is a testament to the era’s combination of scientific inquiry and artistic achievement, serving both as a valuable geographical document and a visual representation of Europe’s growing ambitions and fascination with the African continent.