A striking portolan world map drawn in 1566 by Nicolas Desliens, synthesizing Norman hydrographic knowledge of the mid-16th century. Oriented with south at the top, it presents a compelling “upside-down” worldview and marks newly claimed lands with French fleurs-de-lis. Across an arc-shaped North America appears the bold label La Nouvelle France occidentalle (Western New France).

Features / Details

• Cartographer: Nicolas Desliens (active 1541–1566)

• Date: 1566

• Map Type: Portolan nautical chart; manuscript in color on vellum

• Orientation: South at the top (north at the bottom)

• Geographic Coverage: World (most of the Pacific not shown; part of the west coast of North America extends beyond the sheet)

• Notable Historical Labels & Marks: “La Nouvelle France occidentalle” over North America; French claims indicated by fleurs-de-lis in Canada (Labrador), Florida (May River), and Brazil (Rio de la Plata)

• Physical Details (original): 1 map; 27 × 45 cm

• Language: French

• Publication Info (original): Place and publisher not identified

• Provenance: Original resource at the National Library of France

Source & Rights
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
You will receive a newly made, high-resolution fine-art print of this historical map (not the original artifact).