Bilder Antoine-François Prévost d'Exiles (1697–1763) – Map of the East Coast of Africa – Engraving (1746–1759)

Beskrivning

This engraving presents a detailed maritime chart of the southeastern coastline of Africa, titled Carte de la Coste Orientale d'Afrique. The geographical scope extends from the Cape of Good Hope in the south to Cape Delgado in the north, encompassing the territories of the Hottentots, Natal, Cafrerie, and the coast of Mozambique. The map illustrates coastal features such as bays, inlets, and river mouths, alongside the significant Canal de Mozambique and the island-dotted waters of Zanguebar. An ornate decorative cartouche in the upper left corner provides the title and states that the map was published by order of the Count of Maurepas in 1740. This illustration was featured in the monumental Histoire Generale des Voyages and served as a technical reference for eighteenth-century readers to visualize the strategic sea routes and colonial outposts along the Indian Ocean.

Antoine-François Prévost d'Exiles, commonly known as Abbé Prévost, was a prolific French author and journalist who made significant contributions to the Enlightenment-era dissemination of geographical knowledge. While famous for his literary work Manon Lescaut, he spent decades editing and translating the Histoire Generale des Voyages, a massive multi-volume encyclopedia of global exploration. This series synthesized centuries of travel accounts and cartographic data into a structured format, becoming an essential resource for the study of ethnography and colonial geography. Prévost's work allowed the French public to explore the world's diverse regions through detailed text and high-quality engravings, often based on the work of royal hydrographer Jacques-Nicolas Bellin, helping to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and popular curiosity during the eighteenth century.

Artist or Maker: Antoine-François Prévost d'Exiles .

Dimensions: Approximately 27 cm x 29 cm .

Medium: Engraving .

Date: 1746–1759

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.