Hessel Gerritsz Dutch engraver, cartographer and publisher Date of Birth: 01.01.1581 Country: Netherlands

1. Early Life and Training
2. Engraved Maps and Charts
3. Exploration and Cartographic Achievements
4. Appointment as East India Company Cartographer
5. Interest in the New World
6. Legacy and Impact

Hessel Gerritsz: A Masterful Dutch Engraver, Cartographer, and Publisher

Dutch engraver, cartographer, and publisher Hessel Gerritsz played a significant role in the field of mapmaking during the early 17th century. Despite fierce competition, he is considered by some historians as "undoubtedly the foremost Dutch cartographer of the early 17th century."

Early Life and Training

Hessel Gerritsz was born in Alkmaar and began his career as an apprentice to Willem Blaeu, who was ten years his senior. Gerritsz moved with Blaeu to Amsterdam, where he continued working in his workshop. In 1607, he married Geertje Gijsberts from Alkmaar, and they had eight children together. Geertje passed away before 1624, when Gerritsz remarried. In 1610, he established his own printing business.

Engraved Maps and Charts

Gerritsz's engraved maps and charts have appeared in works by Blaeu, Jansson, and others. His contributions include the illustration of Blaeu's atlases, featuring detailed and accurate representations of various regions and cities.

Exploration and Cartographic Achievements

Gerritsz published "Beschryvinghe van Spitsbergen" in 1613, detailing the discovery, initial visits, and the whaling industry surrounding the archipelago. In the same year, he engraved and published "Carta Russica a F.B. conscripta," a map of Russia based on a manuscript by Fedor, the son of Tsar Boris. Gerritsz corrected and expanded upon this map in 1614, refining the shape of Lake Ladoga and other geographical features.

Appointment as East India Company Cartographer

Gerritsz's reputation as a cartographer grew, and on October 16, 1617, he was appointed as the first cartographer for the Dutch East India Company. This was arguably the most prestigious position a cartographer could hold at the time. His appointment was influenced by Peter Plancius, the company's leading scientist, who had a strained relationship with Blaeu senior. Gerritsz held the post until his death in 1632, after which the position was passed down within the Blaeu family until 1705.

Interest in the New World

Gerritsz's fascination with the New World led him to embark on a journey to Brazil and the Caribbean. His expeditions provided firsthand knowledge that influenced his cartographic work.

Legacy and Impact

Hessel Gerritsz passed away in 1632 and was buried in Nieuwekerk in Amsterdam. His contributions to cartography left an enduring mark on the field, shaping the understanding of various regions around the globe and influencing the work of subsequent mapmakers for centuries to come.