Planisphaerium Terrestre, Sive Terrarum Orbis bu Carel Allard.

“Planisphaerium Terrestre, Sive Terrarum Orbis” by Carel Allard is a double-hemisphere world map published circa 1696, representing one of the finest examples of late 17th-century baroque cartography. Engraved and hand-colored, the map blends scientific detail with ornate allegorical imagery. Each hemisphere presents the world as it was then known, featuring decorative insets of the North and South Poles, celestial diagrams, and wind-heads symbolizing cardinal directions. Richly adorned with mythological figures, cherubs, and global motifs, the map reflects both geographic knowledge and artistic grandeur during the Age of Discovery.

Carel Allard (1648–1709), a prominent Amsterdam mapmaker and publisher, carried on the Allard family’s cartographic tradition, producing highly decorative and technically refined maps. His works exemplify the fusion of art and science that defined the Dutch Golden Age of cartography. Known for their elaborate embellishments and precise engraving, Allard's maps were prized by scholars and collectors alike. The Planisphaerium Terrestre stands as a testament to his craftsmanship and the era's fascination with the expanding known world.