Bilder Nicolas Sanson (1600–1667) – Map of the Palatinate and the Duchy of Simmern – Germany – Hand-coloured engraving (1652)

Beskrivning

"Partie Occidentale du Palatinat, l’Eslectorat du Rhein, le Duche de Simmeren." This hand-coloured engraving presents a detailed regional map of the western Palatinate and the Duchy of Simmern in present-day Germany. The cartography delineates the territories of the House of Palatine, showing the rugged topography of the Hunsrück and Eifel regions, along with the course of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Numerous cities, towns, and fortified positions are identified, including Simmern, Bacharach, and Bingen. A decorative title cartouche is positioned in the lower left corner, featuring allegorical figures resting among geographical instruments. In the upper center, a secondary cartouche contains various scale bars supported by two classical figures. This work was published in Paris and reflects the administrative and territorial complexities of the Holy Roman Empire following the Thirty Years' War.

Nicolas Sanson was a preeminent French cartographer often cited as the father of French geography. He began his career as a military engineer but soon turned to the systematic mapping of European provinces, eventually earning the title of Geographer to the King. His workshop in Paris became the center of a cartographic dynasty, known for replacing the decorative Dutch style with a more scientific approach that prioritized geographic accuracy and administrative clarity. Sanson's maps were instrumental in the reorganization of the French state and remained the standard reference for European geographers and military planners for several generations. His legacy is defined by his monumental atlas projects and his role in establishing France as the leading scientific center for cartographic production in the seventeenth century.

Artist or Maker: Nicolas Sanson.

Dimensions: Approximately 51 cm x 64 cm.

Medium: Hand-coloured engraving.

Date: 1652.

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.