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Candia Insula (Crete)
In stock
The map titled “Candia Insula / Archipelagi Insularum Aliquot Descriptio” is a finely detailed and historically significant cartographic work by Abraham Ortelius, first published in 1584 in his landmark atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. This map offers a striking depiction of Crete—known in antiquity and during Venetian rule as Candia—alongside ten prominent islands of the Aegean Sea. The main body of the map features a large, horizontal rendering of Crete based on the work of Venetian sources, most likely Francesco Soranzo, capturing the island’s mountainous terrain, principal towns, and coastal features with remarkable precision. Below Crete are ten finely engraved insets of other important Greek islands, including Rhodes, Lesbos (Metellino), Chios (Scio), Euboea (Negroponte), Naxos, Milos, Santorini, Kythira (Cerigo), Lemnos (Stalimene), and Karpathos (Scarpanto). These insets reflect Ortelius’s skill in synthesizing contemporary geographic sources, drawing on Italian cartographers such as Camocio, Bertelli, and Porcacchi. The map exemplifies the Renaissance blend of scientific inquiry and artistic expression, featuring elaborate typography, compass roses, and decorative flourishes. Published in Latin, it conveys the strategic importance and rich cultural history of these islands during the height of Venetian and Ottoman maritime power. Revered by collectors and scholars alike, this map remains one of the most visually engaging and historically informative portrayals of the Aegean world in early modern cartography. Please note that every single body of water is represented in a different way.
Condition: Good - Staining to centerfold margin, archival repairs in margin
Map Maker: Abraham Ortelius
Coloring: Hand Colored
Year: 1584
In stock
