Bilder Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772) – Map of the Isle of Madagascar – Copperplate engraving (1747)

Beskrivning

This finely engraved map depicts the island of Madagascar, also identified by its historical name "Isle de St. Laurent." The work provides a detailed coastal survey, marking numerous bays, capes, and ports such as Cap d'Ambre to the north and Cap Ste. Marie to the south. The interior is illustrated with mountain ranges and river systems, with various regional names like Hazon, Angonabe, and Erindrano noted throughout the territory. A central compass rose indicates orientation, and rhumb lines crisscross the surrounding waters of the Indian Ocean, reflecting the map's hydrographic origins. 

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin was a preeminent French hydrographer and geographer who served as the official hydrographer to the French Navy for over fifty years. He was a founding member of the Académie de Marine and was responsible for producing a vast body of maritime charts and maps that defined French naval intelligence during the 18th century. Bellin is perhaps best known for his monumental maritime atlas, the "Petit Atlas Maritime," and his extensive contributions to Prevost’s "Histoire Generale des Voyages." His work is celebrated for its technical precision and its role in standardizing the cartography of the French Enlightenment, particularly concerning the coastlines of the East Indies and the Americas.

Artist or Maker:
Jacques-Nicolas Bellin.

Dimensions:
Approximately 32 cm x 35 cm.

Medium:
Copperplate engraving.

Date:
1747.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.