VISSCHER II, Nicholas (1649 – 1702), Bavariae Pars Inferior...[Southern Bavaria, Germany]

VISSCHER II, Nicholas (1649 – 1702).
Bavariae Pars Inferior...[Southern Bavaria, Germany].
Engraved map with exceptional original hand color by Van Santen, heightened with gold.
Amsterdam, after 1683.
21 1/8" x 24 3/4" sheet.

The Finest 17th Century Original Color that Exists

In the seventeenth century, the Netherlands held a prominent position in Europe in the production of books, maps and prints. Not only were the number, diversity and quality of printed works renown, but also the ""versiering"" - the application of decorative graphic elements in the coloring of maps, prints, title pages, opening and closing vignettes, etc. Little is known about the many print and map colorists, the 'const- en caertafzetters', who lived in the Netherlands at the time. Three colorists are seen as the most important artists of that time: Frans Koerten, David Reerigh, and Dirk Jansz. van Santen. Since the work of a colorist was usually not signed, many have remained anonymous. However, the most important exception to this rule was Dirk Jansz van Santen.

Van Santen illuminated and gilded the most prestigious printed works of his time in an exceptionally painterly and brilliant manner. In doing so he made the Golden Age of Dutch Cartographer, quite literally golden. (Truusje Goedings: Amsterdam, 1992).