Only 9 documented copies are known

Only five years after the publication of the panorama by Willem Jansz. Blaeu and Hans Rem, Claes Jansz. Visscher made his debut as a publisher with the current view of Amsterdam. He edited Pieter Bast’s existing copper plates from 1595, which were already in the possession of his partner Hugo Allardt Coster. Visscher changed the plates to adapt the print to the current situation. He also added an elaborate backstage with many exotic figures as a tribute to the Amsterdam patroness. The cartouche hints that the city of Amsterdam has surpassed the greatness of ancient Greek civilization.