Old vintage world map Double hemisphere Nova totius terrarum orbis tabula by Frederik de Wit

Frederik de Wit was a prominent Dutch cartographer and engraver active during the 17th century, a period often referred to as the Dutch Golden Age of cartography. Based in Amsterdam, De Wit established his own publishing firm, producing a wide range of maps, atlases, and globes that were renowned for their clarity, artistic detail, and geographic accuracy. His work helped shape European understanding of the world and was widely circulated and reissued even after his death.

Nova totius terrarum orbis tabula, created around 1660, is one of De Wit's most famous world maps. Rendered in the baroque style, it combines precise cartographic information with elaborate decorative elements, including mythological figures and celestial themes. The map reflects the geographical knowledge of the time, including both accurate coastlines and speculative regions, such as a partially imagined southern continent. It stands as both a scientific tool and an artistic artifact, encapsulating the fusion of exploration, art, and imagination in the early modern era.