Bilder Victor Levasseur (1800–1870) – Map of the Department of Lozere (France) – Engraving (1852)

Beskrivning

Dept de la Lozere. This engraving presents a detailed geographical map of the Lozere department in southern France, characterized by its mountainous terrain and the source of the Tarn river. The central map is color coded to show administrative arrondissements and is surrounded by a vast array of allegorical and descriptive illustrations. The peripheral scenes include portraits of local figures such as Chaptal and Rivarol, a view of the city of Mende, and various vignettes depicting the region's agricultural products, including chestnuts and livestock. Allegorical figures representing the rivers Lot and Allier are shown pouring water from urns in the lower left. Side panels contain dense blocks of text regarding the department's statistics, administration, and historical curiosities. This work is a significant plate from the Atlas National Illustre des 86 Departements et des Possessions de la France, a landmark publication of the mid nineteenth century known for its highly decorative approach to cartography.

Victor Levasseur was a prominent French cartographer and engineer who served as a member of the Geographical Society of Paris. He is best known for his monumental Atlas National Illustre, which transformed traditional mapmaking into a rich visual encyclopedia of French regional identity. Levasseur's maps were unique for their integration of precise geographical data with elaborate borders that provided cultural, historical, and economic context for each region. His workshop collaborated with the finest engravers of the period, such as Laguillermie and Rainaud, to produce plates that were as aesthetically complex as they were informative. His legacy remains central to the history of French cartography, as his works offered the public a comprehensive and romanticized vision of the nation during the reign of Napoleon III.

Artist or Maker: Victor Levasseur.

Dimensions: Approximately 38 cm x 52 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1852.

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.