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Vintage Prints Archive

Nanking (Kiangnan Province Map)

Description Details
A 17th-century cartographic treasure, this map of Nanjing combines Jesuit scholarship with Dutch Golden Age artistry. Originally published by Joan Blaeu in Amsterdam, it showcases both geographic precision and Baroque decorative elegance.
Poster Size: 17x20"


Production Time: 3 days

  • Designer Notes

    Nanking (Kiangnan Province Map) (c.1655) is a masterpiece of Dutch Golden Age cartography, drawn from Jesuit surveys and published by Joan Blaeu. Its blend of precise geography and ornate artistry makes it both a scholarly treasure and a striking decorative piece.

    Where This Poster Works Best

    • Hospitality & Social Spaces: Upscale hotels, libraries, or lounges with a focus on heritage and exploration.
    • Residential Interiors: Studies, libraries, or living rooms seeking sophistication and a sense of history.
    • Commercial / Offices: Law firms, universities, or executive boardrooms emphasizing culture and tradition.

    Style Pairings

    • Classic European: Harmonizes with leather armchairs, dark woods, and traditional bookcases.
    • Colonial / Explorer Style: Complements globes, antique trunks, and travel artifacts.
    • Modern Minimal: Creates dramatic contrast when displayed in a clean, white-walled gallery setting.

    Presentation Ideas

    • Large Statement Piece: A 25x30" framed reproduction as the centerpiece of a library or study.
    • Gallery Wall: Pair with other 17th-century maps or engravings to create an academic collection.
    • Framing: Ornate gilt frame for historical authenticity, dark mahogany for scholarly gravitas, or black modern frame for a contemporary edge.

Nanking (Nanjing) – Kiangnan Province Map

Title: Nanking, Sive Kiangnan, Imperii Sinarum Provincia Nona.
Cartographer: Based on the work of Martino Martini (1614–1661), published by Joan Blaeu (1596–1673).
Printer/Publisher: Amsterdam, part of Blaeu’s celebrated Atlas Sinensis.
Medium: Hand-colored copperplate engraving.
Date: c. 1655.

Historical Context

  • Jesuit scholarship: The map originates from Martino Martini, an Italian Jesuit missionary in China, whose geographic surveys became Europe’s first authoritative view of Chinese provinces.
  • Dutch Golden Age cartography: Published by Joan Blaeu in Amsterdam, whose atlases were considered the most luxurious and detailed of the 17th century.
  • East–West exchange: Combining European engraving with Chinese geographic knowledge, this map reflects the era’s fascination with Asia and global exploration.
  • Decorative detail: Borders, heraldic cartouches, and figures in traditional Chinese attire elevated the map beyond science, making it a work of art as well as scholarship.
  • Collectible prestige: Original Blaeu atlases are among the most prized in the world of antiquarian maps, symbolizing the height of Baroque cartography.

Notes

  • Publication source: The map was first issued in Blaeu’s Atlas Maior and Novus Atlas Sinensis, c. 1655.