Gerard de Jode (1509–1591). Nova Descriptio Hispaniae, (Antwerp: G. de Jode, 1578 [1598]). Published in Speculum Orbis Terrarum. Copperplate engraving. Image: 15 1/8 x 20 1/8 in.; Sheet: 16 1/8 x 21 1/8 in. Verso: descriptive text in Latin titled HISPANIA Fol. 30. Good impression.
$4,000.00
![Gerard de Jode, Nova Descriptio Hispaniae, 1578 [1598]](https://williamtalbotfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DeJode_SpainPortugal_1578_GC0426-copy.jpeg)
This scarce map of Spain and Portugal originates from the renowned Italian architect Pirro Ligorio, as indicated at the top, and was engraved by Johannes and Lucas Doetecum for Gerard de Jode’s Speculum Orbis Terrarum. The atlas included some of the most innovative maps ever published. The maps of the World, Americas, Australia and China are of particular note and remain some of the most important maps every published. While it may not have had commercial success at the time, it is considered a masterpiece of 16th century cartography. Very few examples of the maps have survived from either edition.
Geographically the map includes regions of Spain, Portugal, Galicia, Castile and Léon, Andalusia, Granada, Catalonia, Navarre, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera). The map is illustrated with sea monsters and galleons.
Gerard de Jode was a printer, publisher, cartographer and engraver in Antwerp, active the same time period as his business rival A. Ortelius. His main work Speculum Orbis Terrarum a major World Atlas, which is extremely rare today, could not be published until 1578, eight years later than the Ortelius Atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum in 1570. His son Cornelius de Jode reissued the Atlas in 1593. The copper plates sold to Antwerp publisher J.B. Vrients after the death of Cornelius, but no further publication was done. Compared to Ortelius or Mercator maps, only a small number of copies have been printed and makes the maps of G. de Jode vary rare items today.
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