Kaart van het Hoogheemraadschap van de Krimpenerwaard (zesde deel van kaart) - Johannes Leupenius

A detailed 1682 cartographic print by Johannes Leupenius, documenting the Krimpenerwaard polder region with precise topography and an ornate decorative cartouche.

This print represents the sixth section of a larger map documenting the Krimpenerwaard, a polder region in the Netherlands. Created by Johannes Leupenius in 1682, the work serves as a technical record of land management and water control during the Dutch Golden Age. The map delineates the boundaries of various polders, including the Middel Moolen Polder and the Moordsche Polder, while identifying local administrative divisions such as Nieuwerkerk and Hillegersbergh.

The visual composition is defined by clean, precise lines typical of seventeenth-century Dutch cartography. The map focuses on the geometric division of land, reflecting the systematic approach to drainage and agricultural organisation that defined the region. A notable feature is the elaborate cartouche located in the lower right quadrant. This decorative element contains the scale and a formal inscription detailing the commission by the Hoogheemraden (water board) of the Krimpenerwaard. The cartouche is rendered with classical ornamentation, providing a visual contrast to the stark, functional lines of the surrounding topography.

Leupenius, a skilled draughtsman and etcher, captures the specific geography of the area between the Lek and IJssel rivers. The inclusion of water management infrastructure, such as mills and dykes, provides insight into the environmental challenges faced by the inhabitants of this low-lying territory. The print is a specimen of the high standards of Dutch map-making, where scientific accuracy was balanced with aesthetic presentation. The use of subtle hand-applied colour in the upper left corner highlights the water boundaries, adding a layer of clarity to the technical drawing. This piece offers a view into the historical landscape of the Netherlands, documenting the physical transformation of the terrain through human intervention and engineering.