Frederik de Wit – Map of Africa, 1660-70

Heres a description of the image:

What I see:

The image is a beautifully rendered, antique map of Africa, created by Frederik de Wit around 1660-1670. The map itself is detailed, showing coastlines, major rivers, and various regions and cities within the African continent. Several decorative elements enhance the map:

• Illustrations of People: Along the left and right sides of the map, there are vertical panels featuring detailed illustrations of people from different regions, identified by labels like FIZZICA MULIER, CONUENSTE MULIER, GUINEUS, MAROCUS, MULIER ABISSINIA, AZANAGNETE, and MOGAMI CUBA MULIER. These figures are depicted in the attire and poses suggestive of their purported origins.
• Cartouches/Decorative Scenes: At the top, there are four circular vignettes depicting coastal cities or fortifications. In the lower center, Neptune on his chariot, pulled by horses and accompanied by cherubic figures, presides over a scene with a cartouche that reads Ex Typis F. de Wit Amstelodamens. This is clearly a cartouche indicating the publisher and location.
• Mythological Figure: Above the title NOVA AFRICA DESCRIPTIO, a central cartouche features a mythological figure riding a crocodile or a similar reptilian creature, holding a spear.
• Oceans and Seas: The surrounding oceans and seas are labeled, such as MARE ATLAN, MARE MEDITERRANEUM, MARE ARABICUM, MARE INDICUM, and OCEANUS ÆTHIOPICUS.
• Lines of Latitude and Longitude: The map is overlaid with a grid of lines representing latitude and longitude, and lines indicating the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and the Equator.

Subtexts:

This map, like many from its era, carries several subtexts related to European exploration, colonialism, and perceptions of the wider world:

• European Worldview and Dominance: The very existence of this map, created in Europe and depicting a continent far from its shores, signifies the growing European reach and interest in global geography. The decorative elements, particularly the figures representing different peoples, reflect a European perspective on other cultures, often presented in exoticized or stereotypical ways.
• Imperial Ambition and Trade: Maps from this period were often commissioned or produced with an eye towards trade routes, resource discovery, and territorial claims. The detailed depiction of coastlines and ports suggests an interest in maritime access and potential for commerce or colonization. The title Nova Africa Descriptio (New Description of Africa) points to a European attempt to understand and categorize this vast land.
• Knowledge and Ignorance: While the map represents a significant effort to chart Africa, it also reveals the gaps in European knowledge. Many inland regions are not detailed and are left as blank spaces or filled with speculative geographical features (though this map appears relatively detailed for its time). The exotic depictions of people and creatures also sometimes blend observation with myth and folklore.
• The Power of the Publisher: The prominent placement of Ex Typis F. de Wit Amstelodamens and the embellishments are not just decorative but also serve as a form of branding, advertising the cartographers skill and the quality of their work. The map makers signature at Neptunes cartouche adds a touch of artistic pride and ownership.
• Allegory of Exploration and Commerce: Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, in his chariot, symbolizes control over oceanic trade and exploration, reinforcing the idea of European dominance over maritime routes. The cherubs could represent the bounty or the spread of influence.