Map of the city of Ambon and its surroundings

Title on object: Fortres Victoria met de negerij ende ’t Geberchte van Laytimor in Ambon

The map shows the city of Ambon at the eponymous bay, and the VOC-fort Victoria located there. The city is surrounded by the mountainous and jungle-covered interior of Leitimor, the southern peninsula of the island.

Presumably based on a map by Joan van Nessel, now in the Nationaal Archief (VEL1327). No other copies by Vingboons are known, but do see the anonymous copy in the collection of Leiden University (COLLBN 002-09-010), which was also based on the same source.

Part of the Carte di Castello, collected by Cosimo de Medici III in 1667 and 1669 during his tours through Europe. Cosimo III bought the 66 watercolours by Vingboons in December 1667 in Amsterdam, through mediation of Pieter Blaeu.