Spectandum dedit Ortelius mortalib. orbem, Orbi spectandum Galleus Ortelium

Antwerp: Abraham Ortelius, 1580. unbound. Map. Engraving with beautiful hand applied color. Image measures 12 1/2" x 8 3/8", page measures 15 1/2" x 11". Antwerp: 1580. This finely-colored portrait of the illustrious cartographer Abraham Ortelius appeared as a frontispiece in the 1580 edition of his famous atlas "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum." The elegant profile view of the mapmaker is surrounded in an ornate oval frame, backed by elaborate strapwork and garland. The text below roughly translates as "By looking, Ortelius gave to mortal beings the world; by looking at his face, Galleus gave them Ortelius." Likely based on the painting of him painted by P. (truncated) P. Rubens. Latin and German text on verso. In very good condition. Some spots and wear to margins, not affecting the image. Abraham Ortelius (1527--1598), a Flemish cartographer and geographer, is widely regarded as one of the important and influential cartographers in history. He is known for his "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum," which was the first modern atlas. Marcel van den Broecke; Ort. 4. (Inventory #: 308815)