Belgii Veteris Typus - Pieter van der Keere

A 1624 copperplate engraving by Pieter van der Keere depicting the Low Countries during the Roman era, featuring detailed tribal territories and period illustrations.

This copperplate engraving, titled Belgii Veteris Typus, represents the Low Countries as they were perceived during the Roman era. Produced by the Dutch cartographer Pieter van der Keere in 1624, the work functions as a historical reconstruction rather than a contemporary survey. It draws upon the geographical knowledge of Abraham Ortelius, whose influence is noted in the cartouche. The map details the tribal territories of the Batavians and their neighbours, providing a visual record of the region's ancient political geography.

The composition features a central map area framed by decorative elements. To the left, a sailing vessel navigates the North Sea, while the right side depicts two figures in period-appropriate attire, standing within a wooded setting. These illustrative additions reflect the conventions of seventeenth-century mapmaking, where geographical data was frequently accompanied by artistic embellishments to provide context or narrative interest. The cartouche in the upper left corner contains the title and a dedication, executed in a formal, calligraphic script typical of the period.

Van der Keere was a prolific engraver and publisher based in Amsterdam. His work often bridged the gap between scientific cartography and decorative art. This specific print demonstrates the technical precision of his engraving style, with fine lines defining the coastlines, river systems, and tribal boundaries. The inclusion of Latin text throughout the map serves to ground the work in the scholarly traditions of the time. As a historical document, it offers insight into how the seventeenth-century Dutch public conceptualised their own origins through the lens of classical antiquity. The print remains a significant example of the intersection between historical research and the aesthetic values of the Dutch Golden Age, providing a clear view of the cartographic techniques employed by one of the era's most active mapmakers.