The Royale Maps Vision.
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. 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.
Windows onlooking life’s brilliance.
I have always known maps to be attractive and exciting pieces 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 decided it was time to revive ornamental cartography.
Let nature be our compass.
It is in 2018 that I decided to use my heritage and artistic skills to revisit ornamental cartography in the 21st century – with a reverence to nature.
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.
To draw a good map, I connect to the place I am drawing. Once the creative process is over, I don’t want to sever the chord, so I aim for our Maps to remain connected to their place of inspiration by gifting back part of their proceeds to local environmental charities.