Exploring the Europe Map by Abraham Ortelius from 1572.

There is a special feeling when you look at a map from the 1500s. It was a time when the world was still full of secrets. One of the most famous maps from this era is the Europae by Abraham Ortelius. Created in 1572, this map was part of the very first modern atlas. It shows Europe not just as a place on a globe, but as the heart of a changing world.

Our replica of the (1572.) Europe map captures every tiny detail from the original source. You can see the mythical island of Brasil and the legendary sea monsters that Ortelius included to warn sailors of the deep.

In our family workshop, we take great care to recreate this masterpiece. We want it to feel like you just discovered it in an old library. Every piece we make has hand burned edges. We also use a warm beeswax finish to give it that authentic parchment look and feel.

Who Was Abraham Ortelius?

This portrait by Rubens shows the master himself, Abraham Ortelius. He was the creator of the first modern atlas and a true pioneer of the "Golden Age" of maps.

Abraham Ortelius was a master mapmaker from Antwerp. He was the first person to gather many different maps and put them into one book. This book was called the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. It changed the way people saw the world. Before this, maps were hard to find and often came in different sizes. Ortelius made them easy to study and collect.

This (1570.) world map was part of the very first modern atlas. We add small gold highlights to the clouds and banners to help them catch the light in your home.

His (1572.) map of Europe is based on the work of other famous explorers and scientists. It shows how much people knew back then, and also what they were still guessing about.

Secrets Hidden in the Map

When you look closely at our Europae, you will find some very interesting details.

Mythical Islands and Holy Sites

If you look off the coast of Ireland, you might see a small island named Brasil. This was a mythical place that people believed in for hundreds of years. You will also see a spot labeled St. Patrick’s Purgatory. This was a famous site for pilgrims in the middle ages. Seeing these names on a map reminds us of the legends that people once believed were true.

Sea Monsters and Ships

The oceans on this map are not empty. Ortelius included beautiful drawings of sailing ships and mysterious sea monsters. These were not just for decoration. They showed the dangers that sailors faced when they left the safety of the shore. We love adding tiny gold highlights to these details to make them stand out.

Why Our Handcrafted Replicas Are Different

When you look for a historical map, you want it to feel real. Most modern prints are made on thin paper by big machines. At Artifex, we do things differently to ensure your art looks authentic in a frame.

• Always Hand Burned Edges: We always burn the edges of our prints by hand.

• Beeswax Treatment: We finish each piece with natural beeswax to give the paper a warm feel.

• Gold Paint Accents: We add small gold highlights to the maps to catch the light.

• Real Historical Sources: Each print is made from actual historical sources for accuracy.

Keeping the History Alive in Your Home

Because we use thick, hand processed paper and natural beeswax, these prints are made to last for many years. They are much more durable than a standard paper poster. We always recommend placing your map in a frame to keep it safe from dust and fingerprints.

Many of our customers choose a "float mount" for their frames. This style lets the map sit slightly forward so that the hand burned edges are easy to see from every angle. It highlights the unique texture of the paper and makes the piece feel like a real artifact. If you want to see exactly how we prepare our paper and apply the beeswax, you can read more about our parchment replicas.

Whether you have a deep connection to the story of Europe or just love the art of the 1500s, this Ortelius map brings a sense of quiet wonder to your space. You can explore the history of other famous makers and discover more about these pieces in our complete guide to antique map prints. You can find this handcrafted replica and many others in our full antique map prints collection in the shop here.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ortelius's 1572. Europe Map

Why are the edges of the maps burned?

We always burn the edges by hand in our family workshop. This gives the print an authentic, aged parchment look that makes each piece unique. Unlike factory made posters, no two of our maps will ever look exactly the same.

What is the beeswax finish for?

We finish our maps with natural beeswax to give the paper a warm, old world glow. It also helps protect the print and makes it feel soft and authentic to the touch.

Is the (1572.) Ortelius Europe map historically accurate?

Yes, our replica is made from real historical sources. It includes fascinating details from the time, such as the mythical island of Brasil and famous pilgrimage sites like St. Patrick's Purgatory.