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Silesia in the Year Before its Annexation By Prussia
This 1741 map of Silesia was published by Covens and Mortier in Amsterdam. It presents a highly detailed cartographic depiction of the historical region of Silesia, which was divided into seventeen principalities and domains. The map is richly adorned with decorative elements, heraldic symbolism, and an inset city plan of Breslau (modern Wrocław, Poland), reflecting the artistic and scientific sophistication of 18th-century cartography.
Silesia, located in Central Europe, was a historically contested region, and by 1741, it was the focus of the First Silesian War between Prussia and Austria, part of the broader War of Austrian Succession (1740–1748). This conflict resulted in Frederick the Great of Prussia seizing most of Silesia from Austria, marking a significant geopolitical shift. The map delineates the Upper and Lower Silesian duchies, highlighting major cities, rivers, and topographical features. Borders of the seventeen principalities are carefully marked in color, illustrating the political fragmentation that defined the region before its annexation by Prussia in 1742.
The main map is densely detailed, showing towns, roads, rivers, and mountain ranges with remarkable precision. The political divisions are marked with hand-colored borders, emphasizing the territorial boundaries of the time. The upper right corner features an inset plan of Breslau, held aloft by cherubs, depicting the city's fortifications, streets, and significant buildings. Meanwhile, the elaborate cartouche in the lower left corner incorporates military and agricultural imagery, including a cannon, a hunting dog, and musical instruments, symbolizing both the region’s strategic importance and economic prosperity.
Covens & Mortier was one of the largest and most successful publishing firms in Dutch history and continued in business for over a century. Pierre Mortier the Elder (1661-1711) had obtained a privilege in 1690 to distribute the works of French geographers in the Netherlands. After his widow continued the business for several years, Cornelis (1699-1783) took over in 1719.
In 1721, Mortier forged a partnership with Johannes Covens (1697-1774), who had recently married Cornelis’ sister. They published under the joint name of Covens & Mortier. In 1774, upon the death of his father, Johannes Covens II (1722-1794) took over his father’s share. In 1778, the company changed its name to J. Covens & Zoon, or J. Covens & Son.
Covens II’s son, Cornelis (1764-1825), later inherited the business and brought Petrus Mortier IV back into the fold. Petrus was the great-grandson of Petrus Mortier I. From 1794, the business was called Mortier, Covens & Zoon, or Mortier, Covens, & Son.
The business specialized in publishing French geographers including Deslisle, Jaillot, Janssonius, and Sanson. They also published atlases, for example a 1725 reissue of Frederik de Wit’s Atlas Major and an atlas, with additions, from the works of Guillaume Delisle. There were also Covens & Mortier pocket atlases and town atlases. The company profited from acquiring plates from other geographers as well. For example, the purchased Pieter van der Aa’s plates in 1730. Finally, they also compiled a few maps in house. At their height, they had the largest collection of geographic prints ever assembled in Amsterdam.
