Stunning example of Ortelius's landmark map of Iceland, featuring fabulous mythical sea monsters. Described as one of the first accurate maps of Iceland, this is also one of the most sought-after of Ortelius's maps, and an iconic representation of Early Modern sea monsters. This example was published in the 1603 Latin edition of Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, often cited as the first 'modern' world atlas. It features Latin descriptive text on the verso (image available on request).


As is often the case, Ortelius cites the source of the map; on this instance, a panel on the lower right corner states that the map was compiled by Andreas Velleius, (Anders Vedel 1542-1616), a noted Danish historian. Further research has added the name of Guodbrandur Porlaksson, Bishop of Holar in northern Iceland, as a contributor to this map. 

The famous menagerie of sea monsters is a mixture of reported sightings and legends from the northern ocean. They are nearly all sourced from images present on Olaus Magnus' map of Scandinavia and Sebastian Munster's collection depicted in his "Geographia" of 1540. 


Original hand-colour. [Marcel van den Broecke: "Ortelius Atlas Maps, An Illustrated Guide" (2nd Ed). Ort.161] [SCAN2646]