"Frisiae Orientalis Descriptio" [Description of East Friesland], copper engraving published by Abraham Ortelius as part of a French-language edition of his atlas "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" in 1587. Coloured by hand. Dim. 31.4 x 44.7 cm. The map is made after the design of Johannes Blommaerts, better known under his Latinised humanist name Florianus. This Florianus became particularly famous when he was commissioned by the printer Christoffel Plantijn to make a French translation of the popular folk tale of Reinaert the Fox. Like many of his contemporaries, Florianus had also converted to the Reformed faith. Fearful of Catholic censorship and religious persecution, Florian fled his base in Antwerp and went to safer places. In East Friesland, the humanist found a new home, first in Emden and Norden, later in 1574-1575 in Pilsum. During his exile in the Northern Netherlands, Florianus became a respected preacher. Around 1574 Florianus made a map of the territory of East Friesland, which Abraham Ortelius used as an example for his maps of East Friesland. Price: Euro 350
