Map of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo and Porto Seguro from 1698
This impressive map covers the coast from Rio de Janeiro to about Ilhéus.
It was one of 23 maps in this rare account of the Dutch-Portuguese colonial war. Written by João José de Santa Teresa, known to bibliophiles as Santa Teresa, it is considered one of the most sumptuous works of the 17th century in Brazil, partly because of its incredible maps.
Saint Teresa, a Portuguese Carmelite nun, spent twelve years in the Jesuit missions in South America and then returned to Europe, where she became librarian at the Jesuit College in Rome.
His account was heavily subsidised by Pedro II of Portugal, and some of the leading artists and engravers of the time, including Antonio Horacio Andreas, were commissioned to work on the project. It was published by Giacomo Giovanni Rossi.
The map itself is beautifully drawn and offers an excellent view of the region, with carefully delineated bays, rivers and streams. Even navigational hazards along the coastline are shown. A large compass rose orients the map, with north at the top.
The map is elaborately decorated with cherubs supporting the title cartouche and the royal coat of arms, and mermen supporting the shell-shaped distance scale cartouche. “Provincie Dello Spirito Santo e di Porto Sicuro”, Horatius, Andreas Antonius.
Historical Maps of Brazil – Map of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo and Porto Seguro from 1698
