Suriname  by Gerard van Keulen
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Suriname 1728

Gerard van Keulen

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  • About the artwork
    CHART OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF SURINAME "Pas-kaart vande rivieren Commewini Suriname Suramaca Cupanama en Courantin vertoonende alle desselfs plantagie en wie deselve bezitten. Alles opt naukeurigste opgestelt." Published by Gerard van Keulen, c. 1728 of Amsterdam in the pilot book "Nieuwe Groote Lichtende Zee-Fakkel". Coloured by a later hand. Size: approx. 50,4 x 87,1 cm. Rare sea chart of the rivers, coasts and sandbanks of Suriname, on a scale of approx. 1:500.000. With an inset of the mouth of the Suriname river around fort Zeelandia near Paramaribo. This copper engraving gives a topographical representation of various Surinamese rivers. The rivers today have a slightlyu different course because of silting. The Courantin, Rio Cupanama, Saramaca, Commewijne and Marowijne can be distinguished. Although the title suggests that all former plantations are indicated on the map, this is not the case. the actual number is not exactly known but was considerably higher. The 34 plantations listed are indicated with the names of the owners. These are the names of planters who stayed in Suriname in the period 1671-1675. Better maps, with more accurate information, are published after Alexandre de Lavaux in 1737. Publisher Gerard van Keulen is mentioned in a medallion in the middle of the map. Gerard took over from his father Joannes van Keulen I in 1704 and became a member of the booksellers' guild in his own name. Gerard van Keulen (1678-1726), was a skilled engraver and provided the scientific backbone of the company. After he made a name for himself through his excellent sea charts, he was appointed hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company (VOC). With Gerard van Keulen, Dutch maritime cartography reached an unprecedented level. Price: Euro 2.450, - (incl. frame)
  • About the artist

    He was a son of Johannes van Keulen (1654-1715) and Louysje Laurend Coerte. Gerard marries Ludowina Konst. In 1704 their only child was born, John II of Cologne.

    On October 7, 1712 Van Keulen was granted a patent for Het gilded licht der Zeevaart. He thus extends the patent law that was started by his father.

    Van Keulen acquires through succession of Willem Jansz. Blaeu and his sons for themselves and inherit the privilege of being employed as mapmakers by the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie.

    He takes over the family business from his father in 1714. His father dies in 1715. At that time the company specialized in cartography, publishing and selling marine atlases, maps and guides, books, producer and distributor of navigation instruments.

    Van Keulen ensured variation in the range by switching to the sale of individual large-format cards, which could be bound.

    After his death, his son and his widow continued the business.

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