Treasures of the Orient
China - Nieuhof c.1665
China - Nieuhof c.1665
Title: Reys-Kaert vande Ambassade der Nederlantse Oost-Indische Compagnie (Map of the Embassy of the Dutch East India Company)
Cartographer: Johannes Nieuhof
Origin: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date: c. 1665
Technique: Copperplate engraving
A Rare Glimpse Behind the Great Wall
This map tells the story of one of the most important diplomatic missions in the history of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). In the mid-1650s, Johannes Nieuhof accompanied a Dutch embassy to the court of the Emperor of China in Peking (Beijing). At a time when China was almost entirely closed to Westerners, Nieuhof’s mission was to secure trading rights.
While the diplomacy was only partially successful, the visual record Nieuhof brought back was a sensation. This map was the primary guide for Europeans wanting to understand the interior of the "Middle Kingdom." It plots the long journey from Canton (Guangzhou) in the south all the way to Peking in the north, showing a land of vast rivers, walled cities, and exotic wildlife that had previously existed only in the European imagination.
Chronicles of the Map
-
The "Great Wall" and Tartary: Along the top edge, you can see the Great Wall of China clearly delineated, separating "China" from "Tartaria." This was the definitive boundary of the known world for 17th-century explorers.
-
Zoological Curiosities: Look closely at the provinces of Xansi and Honan; the map is populated with charming illustrations of rhinos, elephants, camels, and even a "flying" deer. These were added by Nieuhof to document the natural history he witnessed (or heard of) during his travels.
-
The Pearl River Delta: In the south, the map provides a detailed look at the approach to Canton and the island of Macao, the vital gateways for all European trade in the East.
-
The "Putti" Cartouche: In the lower right corner, two cherubs (putti) hold aloft a large garland of tropical fruits and vegetables, surrounding a title block that describes the VOC’s embassy—a classic hallmark of Dutch Golden Age engraving.
