A color version of Abraham Ortelius’s famous map of Europe. This antique Europe map brings a sixteenth-century view of the continent into your home, with Latin place names, detailed coastlines, and a warm parchment-style finish that suits studies, libraries, and calm living spaces. It is based on Europae from Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the atlas widely regarded as the first modern atlas.
To learn more about the history of these pieces and how we craft them in our family workshop, feel free to read our full guide to antique map prints.
About this map
This replica is based on Europae, Ortelius’s map of Europe from the 1572 style of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. If you want the full story behind the map, its symbols, and the details hidden in the image, you can read our blog post about this piece. Ortelius built this map by gathering and refining earlier geographic work, especially from Mercator and Olaus Magnus, which is part of what made his atlas so important.
If you enjoy Ortelius’s work, you can also explore our posts on Typus Orbis Terrarum and Romani Imperii Imago. They show the same clear Renaissance approach to mapmaking, but on a much wider scale.
Craft & finishEvery replica we make is individually hand-processed in our family workshop. We finish the paper with a traditional beeswax seal to give it a warm, heavy texture. Our team also adds subtle gold paint details by hand to help the artwork truly shine. To complete the look, we hand-burn the edges to give each piece the feel of a true historical artifact.
While our smaller sizes are perfect for gallery walls, our 43x61 cm Large replica is a museum-scale centerpiece. Because of the size, the hand-processing and beeswax application take much longer. This extra time and care ensures that every centimeter of the historic illustration is preserved with a rich, authentic glow.
Find more prints like this in our Antique Maps collection.
Europae (Abraham Ortelius, 1572.)
25% Off Over 100€
At Artifex Historical Replicas, we bridge the gap between museum archives and your home. Each piece is a handcrafted historical art print recreated from authentic primary sources, including antique city views and botanical illustrations.
Hand-Processed Paper: We use specialized paper with burned edges and a beeswax finish to replicate the weight and feel of genuine old parchment.
Gilded Details: Our workshop adds subtle gold paint accents, bringing the same glow to your walls found in 16th-century illuminated manuscripts.
Custom Sizes & Worldwide Shipping: We offer bespoke sizing for custom frames and ship our historical replicas globally from our family workshop.
Explore our full guide on how we create, display, and restore parchment-style replicas.
Your handmade historical replica is finished with a traditional beeswax seal to create an authentic parchment texture. Because of this artisan process, care is slightly different than a standard poster:
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Flattening: If your print has a slight curve from shipping, simply unroll it and place it under clean, flat weights (like books) for 24–48 hours.
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Removing Creases: The beeswax finish is flexible. If a crease appears, gently warm the area with a hair dryer on low heat. As the wax relaxes, the crease will vanish into the paper. Note: Avoid open flames to ensure the safety of your art.
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Display & Environment: To preserve the rich colors and wax texture, display your print away from direct sunlight, radiators, or humid areas. High heat can soften the wax, and UV light can fade historical inks over time.
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Framing Tip: For the best archival look, we recommend framing behind glass in a dry, room-temperature environment.
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