Map of the Province of Paraíba from 1698
This impressive map covers the province of Paraíba, showing its major rivers and flourishing sugar cane plantations.
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. There are numerous settlements and churches, as well as a network of ancient roads. A large compass rose orients the map with north to the right.
The map is elaborately decorated with cherubs holding the ribbon-shaped title cartouche and the royal coat of arms, and sea monsters holding the shell-shaped distance scale cartouche. “Provincia di Paraiba”, Horatius, Andrew Anthony
Map of the Province of Paraíba from 1698 – Historical Maps of Brazil
