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Blaeu’s Atlas maior, published in 1662, included maps of all the countries and lands then known.  Copies of this luxuriously produced atlas became a state or corporate gift, given by the States General of the United Netherlands or the Dutch East India Company to demonstrate Dutch power, wealth and knowledge.

The tenth in the multi-volume set contains maps of Asia with accompanying text. The section on China contains a general map of China (shown here) and individual maps for each of the fifteen provinces. The text, by the Jesuit Martino Martini, is an account of the geography and history, manners and customs of the Chinese empire and its peoples. Each map is adorned with cartouches showing details of the life and products of the provinces.

These maps were printed from copper engravings and then hand-coloured. Note how vibrant the colours are almost 360 years after the maps were published.

Citation:
7. Joan Blaeu, Atlas maior: Asia, quæ est Geographiæ Blavianæ ... volumen decimum (Amsterdam, 1662),
Marsh's Library Exhibits,
accessed July 4, 2025,
https://web.marshlibrary.ie/digi/items/show/563