Bilder Jean-Baptiste Tardieu (1768–1837) – Map of Ancient Africa – Northern Africa – Hand-coloured engraving (1799)

Beskrivning

"Afrique Ancienne" presents a detailed cartographic study of the northern half of the African continent as it was known in antiquity. The map delineates the Mediterranean coastline, the course of the Nile River, and the regions of Libya, Aethiopia, and the Sahara with delicate pink and yellow hand-coloured outlines. A prominent decorative vignette in the lower left corner features a towering Egyptian obelisk covered in hieroglyphs, flanked by lush trees. This hand-coloured engraving was published in Paris by Jean-Baptiste Tardieu as part of a historical atlas intended to document the geography of the ancient world. The work reflects the late eighteenth-century French academic focus on classical history and the exploration of African territories during the Enlightenment.

Jean-Baptiste Tardieu was a prominent member of the celebrated Tardieu family of French engravers and cartographers active in Paris. He was highly regarded for his technical precision and was frequently commissioned to produce maps for significant scientific and historical publications. Tardieu served as an engraver for the French government, contributing to the visual documentation of newly explored territories and classical geography. His career spanned a transformative era in French cartography, characterized by a transition toward greater empirical accuracy and the systematic cataloging of historical sites.

Artist or Maker:
Jean-Baptiste Tardieu.

Dimensions:
Approximately 38 cm x 28 cm.

Medium:
Hand-coloured engraving.

Date:
1799.

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.