Abrahami Patriarchae Peregrinatio, et Vita [The Wanderings and Life of Abraham the Patriarch], hand–colored engraving, from Abraham Ortelius's Additamentum IV Theatri Orbis Terrarum. [Antwerp: Plantiniana, 1590].

A map depicting the land of Canaan and northern Egypt, from Dan in the north to the Nile Delta in the south, prepared by Abraham Ortelius (after Tilemann Stella). The map appeared in the addendum to the atlas "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum", which is considered to be the first modern atlas. It illustrates the story of Abraham as recorded in Genesis and shows the territories of the various nations of Canaan. The Dead Sea is not depicted, the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Adma and Tzevoyim appearing instead. An inset map of the Middle East shows Abraham's route from Ur of the Chaldees to Nablus.
Three scale bars representing three different measuring methods appear on the right bottom corner. Top and bottom verses from the book of Genesis: "Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you". (12:1), and: "And I will give you and your seed after you the land of your sojournings, the entire land of Canaan for an everlasting possession" (17:8).
Surrounding the map are 22 medallion vingettes depicting scenes from the life of Abraham, after illustrations by the Dutch artist Marten de Vos (1532–1603): departing from Ur Kasdim, Covenant of the pieces, the Expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, the Binding of Isaac, the burial of Abraham and Sarah, and more. Latin text on verso (with illustrated hand–colored initials).

Engraved map: approx. 44X54.5 cm (double sheet). Frame: approx. 61.5X51 cm (double sided frame, showing both sides of the map). Good condition. Staind and minor blemishes. Few small perforations, mostly repaired with paper. Unexamined out of frame.

Literature: The Land of Israel in Maps from Madaba to Satellite (Hebrew), edited by Ariel Tishbi. Jerusalem: Israel Museum, 2001. p. 98.
Provenance: Private collection.