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Writer's pictureNicola Hawley

Vintage Map Art Prints

As an illustrated map specialist, I love sharing my inspiration for my work on this blog, so I'm really happy to bring you some of my all time favourite maps as art prints.


Contents



A black and white illustrated map of Inverness features several historical details relating to the Jacobites.
One of my maps for The Bookseller of Inverness by S.G.Maclean. I hope you can see the historical map inspiration.

VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE MAPS: HOW THEY INSPIRE ME


You might have noticed by now how much I love maps, and as a specialist map illustrator, you'd kind of expect it. One of my biggest inspirations has always been antique maps. I love their little intricate details, the inaccuracies, the crazy sea creatures, but more than that, I love that they tell a story of the world as it was at the time of the map's creation.


You may notice the threads of antiquity running through my own work, from the beautifully irregular lettering, to the details in the compass rose, and the 3d cartouches, I never tire of looking at old maps, to gain inspiration for the new.


Now I'm super happy to share some of my favourites with you.


Vintage map The Carta Marina is shown hanging in a frame on a wall
The Carta Marina Antique Map Print

THE CARTA MARINA: A VINTAGE MAP ART PRINT


The first one I had to make available is the Carta Marina by Olaus Magnus. It was originally published in 1539, and is a wonderful creation full of monsters and myth. To read more about it, you can head to my Feature Friday blog on it here. A copy of it hangs in my own studio above my computer.


A detailed, black and white, antique map of the Moluccas Islands is shown in a frame on a wall
The Moluccas Islands Antique Map

THE MOLUCCAS ISLANDS BY PETRUS PLANCIUS


The second one was close on its heels: this map of the Moluccas Islands in Indonesia. Published in 1594 and drawn by Petrus Plancius, it is a map that has a difficult history, implicated as it was, in the success of the Dutch East India Company, but is certainly one of the most beautiful I've seen.


A CURATED COLLECTION


This collection of prints will be a carefully curated collection of antique maps and art, that is designed to offer people who like my work, a chance to own the original pieces my work is reflected from. I will not be putting anything up here unless I absolutely love it - and you can be sure I've done my research!


Antique map The Carta Marina is shown in a frame on a windowsill.
The Carta Marina

THE BEST WALL DECOR


Honestly, I don't think you can get much better wall decor than a vintage map print, especially for history buffs, those who love detailed artworks, those who love a bit of a story, and those trying to fill up a gallery wall! I think you could look forever at both of these maps and still not see every detail.


I really wanted to bring you something I believe in, I really hope you love these offerings and enjoy having them around you as much as I do.


Come back when you can, I'd love to see you again.


As always, thanks for reading.

Nx


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