Map of ancient Otranto, Salento, and Iapygia by Henricus Hondius

This elegant map of ancient Otranto and the historical region of Iapygia, which today corresponds to Salento, is a refined example of 17th-century Dutch cartography, based on the original work of Gerard Mercator. Henricus Hondius oversaw its reproduction and enriched it with sophisticated decorative elements: sailing ships traversing the Adriatic Sea, a striking sea monster, and ornamental cartouches that highlight the Baroque taste of the era. The map offers a detailed view of the southeastern tip of Italy, an important crossroads between West and East.

Henricus Hondius (1597–1651), son of the renowned Jodocus Hondius, was a Dutch engraver and cartographer active in Amsterdam, a pulsating center of 17th-century cartographic publishing. After his father's death, Henricus and his brother Jodocus the Younger continued the family business, expanding and updating Mercator's atlas. In 1621, Henricus opened his own printing house and collaborated closely with Jan Janssonius, his brother-in-law, giving rise to the impressive publishing project known as the Mercator-Hondius-Janssonius Atlas.

This map is, therefore, an integral part of one of the most influential cartographic works of the early modern age. It combines geographical rigor with visual imagination, becoming a work of art as well as a geographical document. It is a valuable testament to the strategic and cultural importance of the Salento territory in the 17th century, as well as a collector's item for scholars, enthusiasts, and lovers of ancient cartography.

Unique quality material

Printed on handmade Amalfi paper
Sheet size: 40 x 30 cm
With frame: 43 x 33 cm
Material: work printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with frayed edges
Frame: Light brown, handmade beech wood and wood pulp