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Decorative and highly detailed map of France, celebrating the conquests of Louis Grand (Louis XIV, the Sun King).
This map of France, engraved by J. Christophe Steinberger, provides a decorative and detailed view of France divided into its historical provinces. Published by Jeremias Wolff, the map is surrounded by rich illustrations depicting various cities, towns, and fortresses that were significant during the military campaigns of Louis XIV, also known as Louis le Grand or the Sun King, in the 17th century. Each of these locations played a strategic role in Louis’s expansive conquests and are further explained in accompanying text boxes along the border of the map.
The map features 19 inset views of key locations involved in Louis XIV’s campaigns, including fortresses and cities such as Philisbourg, Mons, Longwy, Hombourg, Saar-Louis, Perpignan, Barcelone, and Alger. Other notable insets include Le fort de la Kenoque, Fort St. Iacques, Cadis, Brisac, Nancy, Haguenau, Le fort Louis du Rhein, Huningue, Strasbourg, Roses, and Palamos et Girone. These insets not only highlight the geographic reach of Louis XIV’s military efforts but also celebrate his successes in expanding and securing the French territory during his reign.
The central portion of the map meticulously outlines France's provincial divisions, capturing the administrative landscape of the country during the period. The map’s artistic embellishments, including ornate borders and detailed cartouches, reflect the grandeur associated with Louis XIV's rule and the Baroque artistic style of the time. The decorative elements serve both a commemorative and informative purpose, celebrating the legacy of one of France's most powerful monarchs while providing a comprehensive geographic overview of the country during the height of its expansion under Louis XIV. This map stands as both a historical document and a work of art, embodying the intersection of cartography, history, and royal propaganda.
Rarity
The Jerimias Wolff state of this map is very rare on the market. It was re-issued in about 1760 by Conrad Tobias Lotter.
There also exists an earlier example by Inseln, which may be a different copper plate.
Tobias Conrad Lotter (1717-1777) is one of the best-known German mapmakers of the eighteenth century. He engraved many of the maps published by Matthaus Seutter, to whose daughter Lotter was married. He took over Seutter’s business in 1756. Lotter’s son, M. A. Lotter, succeeded his father in the business.
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