Bilder Edme Mentelle (1730–1815) – Map of the World Known to the Ancients – World – Hand-coloured engraving (1822)

Beskrivning

"Monde Connu des Anciens" illustrates the extent of geographical knowledge during antiquity, centered on the Mediterranean basin and extending to Northern Europe, Asia, and the northern coasts of Africa. The map identifies classical regions such as Scythia, Sarmatia, and India, while depicting the southern reaches of Africa as largely unexplored or hypothetical according to ancient theories. This hand-coloured engraving was published in Paris in 1822 by J.B. Delaval, appearing in a posthumous collection of Mentelle's works that sought to reconcile classical history with modern cartographic precision. The work serves as a historical reconstruction, mapping the descriptions of ancient geographers like Ptolemy onto a 19th-century coordinate system.

Edme Mentelle was a prominent French geographer and historian who held the position of professor at the École Normale and was a member of the Institut de France. He was known for his educational approach to cartography, producing numerous atlases and geographical texts designed to simplify complex spatial information for students and the general public. Throughout the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, Mentelle maintained a high standing in the scientific community, contributing to the standardization of geographical instruction in France. His work is characterized by a commitment to accuracy and the integration of historical data into geographical representation.

Artist or Maker: Edme Mentelle.

Dimensions: Approximately 42 cm x 53 cm.

Medium: Hand-coloured engraving.

Date: 1822.

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.