Antique maps by the Hondius family

Leading figures of Amsterdam's golden age of cartography, Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612) and his sons Hendrik and Jodocus II revolutionized geographical publishing. By preserving and expanding upon Mercator's work, this dynasty produced atlases and globes that rank among the most refined and influential works of the 17th century. A detailed presentation is provided at the bottom of the page.

Jodocus Hondius: the savior of Mercator's legacy

Born in Flanders as Joost d'Hondt, Jodocus Hondius settled in Amsterdam in 1593 after a formative exile in London. His masterstroke came in 1604 when he bought the copper plates for the atlas of Gerard Mercator. Hondius did not simply republish these works; he enriched them with 36 new maps and modernized the entire work, publishing the Mercator-Hondius Atlas in 1606. This colossal undertaking democratized the atlas format and established Amsterdam as the world center of cartographic production.

The succession by Hendrik and Jodocus II

Upon the patriarch's death in 1612, his work was continued by his widow, Colette van den Keere, and then by his two sons. Jodocus II (1593-1629) and Hendrik II (1597-1651) took up the mantle with an engraver's talent equal to that of their father. Hendrik, in particular, left his mark on the period through his fruitful collaborations, notably with his brother-in-law Johannes Janssonius. Together, they continued to update the family atlas maps to meet increasing competition, incorporating the latest discoveries of contemporary explorers.

A baroque style serving geographical precision

The Hondius family's productions are instantly recognizable for their stylistic elegance. Their maps are distinguished by meticulous italic calligraphy, rich Baroque ornamentation—including sea monsters, detailed ships, and elaborate cartouches—and rigorous scientific accuracy. Whether their double-hemisphere world maps or their regional maps, the Hondiuses transformed navigational and knowledge-gathering tools into true works of art, the original prints of which are now treasured by collectors.

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