This is the map as an object of pure splendour. The Blaeu family, the greatest publishers of the Dutch Golden Age, framed the two hemispheres of the world with a cosmos of allegory — the seasons in the corners, the chariots of the planets across the top, the classical elements ringing the whole. It was made to hang in the counting-house of a merchant prince and announce that its owner's dealings spanned the Earth. Cartography as a statement of worldly reach and Baroque abundance.

Maker: Willem & Joan Blaeu
Date: 17th century
Medium of the original: Plate
Original held by: Biblioteca Nacional de España
Credit: Biblioteca Nacional de España
Rights: Public domain, verified
Catalogue number: PA-00315

As chosen: 20 x 16 in, art print, classic frame
Picture	20 x 16 in
Outside size	21.6 x 17.6 in
Depth	0.9 in (22 mm)
Weight	[[REAL PROOF NEEDED: shipped weight per size and frame]]
Hanging	[[REAL PROOF NEEDED: hanging hardware Prodigi fits to this frame]]
Material	Enhanced matte art paper, 200 gsm; acrylic glazing
Made in	Charlotte, North Carolina, by Prodigi

Before a size goes on sale, the file is measured against it: pixels per inch at that size, how much of the picture a crop would lose, tone and sharpness. A size that fails is not offered, so there is nothing to choose wrong.

How the print check works

Sizes offered
Size	dpi	Grade	How it fits
10 x 8 in	768	Excellent	Trimmed 8.9%
20 x 16 in	384	Excellent	Trimmed 8.9%
30 x 24 in	256	Excellent	Trimmed 8.9%

Sizes withheld
Size	Why
12 x 8 in	Wrong shape: a 24% crop
14 x 11 in	Wrong shape: a 11% crop
16 x 12 in	Wrong shape: a 15% crop
18 x 12 in	Wrong shape: a 24% crop
24 x 16 in	Wrong shape: a 24% crop
24 x 18 in	Wrong shape: a 15% crop
30 x 20 in	Wrong shape: a 24% crop
36 x 24 in	Wrong shape: a 24% crop
40 x 30 in	Wrong shape: a 15% crop
48 x 36 in	Wrong shape: a 15% crop
60 x 40 in	Wrong shape: a 24% crop