Map of Cayenne and surroundings on the ‘Wild Coast’

Title on object: Afbeeldinghe van de Custe in America van de Caep Orange af tot de Rivier Caijanij op 5 graden bij noorden de linie

This map shows part of the so-called ‘Wild Coast’, i.e. the northeast coast of South America from Cape Orange (the far north of Brazil) to the Kourou River in present-day French Guyana. The extensive description and legend deal with the physical characteristics of the area, the possibilities for barter trade and the suitability for sugar cultivations. It also shows the commander’s residence (F) at the coast near Cayenne. This would presumably date the original map to the late 1650s or early 1660s, when the WIC briefly controlled this area.

No source image, or other copies of this map by Vingboons, are known.

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.