Nicholas Visscher

Biography

The Visscher family was the dominant force in map-making at the height of the Golden Age of Dutch cartography. They were known throughout Europe for their advanced geographic knowledge and for the artistic ornamentation of their works. They were one of the leading publishers in Amsterdam for nearly a century.

Nicholas Visscher died in 1702, leaving the firm to his wife, Elizabeth, who continued the family business until 1726. Prior to and upon ceasing operations, she sold many of its engraved plates to Peter Schenk the Younger, who continued to re-issue them for many decades.