Claes Janszoon Visscher II

Claes Jansz. Visscher, Illustration of the decapitation of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, 1619

Claes Janszoon Visscher (1587 – 19 June 1652) was a Dutch Golden Age draughtsman, engraver, mapmaker, and publisher. He was the founder of the successful Visscher family mapmaking business. The firm that he established in Amsterdam would be passed down his generations until it was sold to Peter Schenk.

Early life and family Claes Janszoon Visscher was born in 1587 in Amsterdam, where he lived throughout his life. He was the son of Claes Jansz. Visscher I (–1612), who taught him etching and printing. He was also known by the Latinized names Nicolas Joannes Piscator and Nicolas Joannis Visscher.

He first established his company in Amsterdam within a district known for publishing maps; the area saw fellow contemporary mapmakers such as Jodocus Hondius and Pieter van den Keere. There is also a belief that Hondius might have apprenticed Visscher.

Mapmaking and publishing became a family occupation. His son, Nicolaes Visscher I (1618–1679), and his grandson, Nicolaes Visscher II (1649–1702), also became mapmakers on the Kalverstraat in Amsterdam. Though probably not a relative, his Bible translation was accepted by the Dutch Staten-General in 1602, which only lent more publicity and authenticity to the "Fisher" name.

The trademark of the Visschers was a fisherman, as he often published under the name Piscator. In his maps, a small fisherman would be strategically placed somewhere near water. and on his sister Geertruyd.

Death Visscher died in 1652 at the age of 64.

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