Bilder Antoine-François Prévost d'Exiles (1697–1763) – Map of Little Bukharia and Neighboring Countries – Engraving (1746–1759)

Beskrivning

This engraving presents a detailed topographical map of Central Asia, titled Carte de la Petite Bukharie et Pays Voisins. The geographical scope covers the region of Little Bukharia, situated between Tartarie Occidentale and the borders of China, and features the vast Desert de Sable or Cobi Desert. The map illustrates various mountain ranges, river systems, and significant regional centers such as Yerghien, identified as the capital of Little Bukharia. Other territories depicted include the lands of the Eluths and Kalmouks, as well as the region of Koko Nor to the southeast. This illustration was featured in a volume of the monumental Histoire Generale des Voyages and was intended to provide European readers with a clear visual record of the geography and political divisions of the Asian interior. The work reflects the eighteenth-century interest in documenting remote inland territories based on the accounts of international travelers and explorers.

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 continental 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 39 cm x 25 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.