The Holy Land with north to the right, showing the region as perceived during the New Testament. Adorned with vignettes and sailing vessels.

Visscher’s map of the Holy Land was bound in Dutch Bibles from the mid 17th century onwards and used into the early 18th century. It was part of a series which included a plan of Jerusalem, several maps of the Holy Land during different time periods, a map of the location of Paradise, and a double hemisphere world map. Additional maps were sometimes enclosed according to the edition of the Bible. The maps are highly decorative with vignettes of Biblical scenes either on the lower borders or within the map. They are usually referenced by the Book, Chapter and verses relevant to them in the Bible.

The geography of the maps is based broadly on classical geography and the interpretation of scholars from their studies of the Bible.

This map points north to the right of the map. The vignettes present on the lower border are referenced to the New Testament. The marine route on the upper right is a reference to the Apostle Paul’s route to Rome.

This series of maps within Bibles remained a very popular feature and Visscher had several competitors in the 17th century. The custom of binding these maps within the Bibles persisted well into the 18th century.

Coloured. Image of verso available on request. [MEAST4553]