Islandia , Abraham Ortelius, circa 1587
This is a reproduction of Abraham Ortelius' famous map of Iceland. It is considered one of the most decorative atlas maps of all time. It shows Iceland in fine detail including its topographical and landscape features and includes a graphic depiction of the volcano Mount Hekla in eruption. Along the northern coastline, bears can be seen floating on icebergs.
An array of mythical sea monsters can be seen and creatures of the 15th and 16th Century, along with early depictions of the sea horse, manta ray, walrus and whales. This map first appeared in a 1587 edition of Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarumi>, the first modern Atlas of the World, first issued in 1570 and expanded thereafter until 1612.
