VISSCHER, Claes Jansz. the Younger

Dutch draughtsman, etcher, cartographer and publisher, also known as Nicolas Joannis Visscher. His Latinised name was Joannis Piscator. His was one of the largest publishing houses of the time. He worked for various print publishers, making prints after designs by David Vinckboons and other artists, as well as helping in the production of maps.

The most important publication of those days, the Statenbijbel or Dutch Authorised Version of the Bible, was not provided with standard text illustrations. Print publishers such as Claes Jansz. Visscher in Amsterdam, however, quickly took advantage of the demand for biblical images. They offered separate series of prints for sale which could be bound into the bibles later.

His father was Jan Claesz. Visscher, a printmaker and publisher (active c. 1586).