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THE ROYALE MAPS VISION

map making tools Royale Maps

Why maps?

I was born in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Belgium is a young country: prior to 1830 it was part of the Netherlands (the Netherlands only briefly lost Belgium to the French for 19 years from 1795-1814).
 
From 1584 to 1702, the Dutch Republic became the world’s leader in commerce. They organised important sea-faring expeditions with the hope of trading with North America and Asia. Successful expeditions relied on accurate maps and thanks to a Flemish cartographer, Gerardus Mercator who invented the Mercator map projection in 1569, the Netherlands produced the most advanced, most accurate, most beautiful maps of their time. 

This era is known as the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography.
Blaeu's Map of The World (1606)
Blaeu's Map of The World. (1606)
Doncker's chart of North America. (1650)
Atlas Map of Africa by Mercator. (1595)
Atlas, Map of Africa by Mercator. (1595)

Maps are symbols of freedom and hope,
and the perfect medium to showcase nature’s intelligence.

The first sneak peak at the map of Florida.
Royale Maps 1st Edition Map of Florida. (2018)

Antique Dutch map prints are abundantly displayed in Belgian homes and public areas as decorative wall pieces. 

I have always known maps to be attractive and exciting piece of graphic art that deliver a clear universal message. Today, the world is mapped by computers and the time consuming art of hand-drawn ornamental maps has become a thing of the past. 

The only decorative options available today are modern uninspiring maps or vintage reproductions so, using my skills as a designer, I fancied trying my hand at cartography.


The first map I designed was the Map of the Isle of Man – which was a good place for me to start: the island is small and lightly populated. I enjoyed the calm process, people liked it and so I went on to design the Map of Florida, Map of Hawaii and Map of Iceland.


It takes time to draw and illustrate a map, even with the help of satellite data and modern technology, but I find the result to be something truly inspiring and unique. 

Windows onlooking life’s brilliance.

Catherine Petit

The latest map I worked on was by far the most ambitious.

 

I designed a world map for kids, during lockdown, and with the help of my son. My intention was to create a cartographic piece of art that would enchant children and also teach them about the world’s geography and nature. 

 

This Globe Spotter world map (and its accompanying booklet)  took a whole year to complete. 

I hope that it will give a taste of ornamental cartography to younger generations and inspire them in many ways.

 

 

Enjoy your time on Royale Maps.

 

 

Keep exploring, here, and out there!

 

 

Catherine x

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