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Rare Large Format Map of the Ottoman Empire by Pierre Du Val.
Carte de l'Empire des Turcs et de ses confins, by P. Du Val, the Geographer to the King, and published in Paris in 1664 by Du Val and Jacques L'Agniet, provides an intricate survey of the Ottoman Empire and its surroundings. This map not only details geographical features but also captures the rich tapestry of historical events that shaped the empire, listing the exploits of various Ottoman emperors.
Emerging in the 14th century, the Ottoman Empire swiftly dominated vast regions, encompassing large parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. By the mid-17th century, when this map was printed, the empire was at the zenith of its territorial expansion, having already made its mark in the annals of history as one of the world's most formidable empires. Du Val's cartographic work endeavors to capture this colossal history, noting the conquests of prominent sultans, including their advances, retreats, and pivotal encounters.
Du Val offers insights into the stories of sultans like Mehmet II, who conquered Constantinople, thereby cementing the Ottoman's European foothold and marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. Similarly, the tale of Selim I, who seized Egypt and thereby became the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, adds depth to the cartographic representation.
At the bottom right, a table provides an historical overview of the Turkish Emperors, dating back to "Ottoman" (Osman) the first emperor in 1300, who captured the cities of Nicea (Iznik) and Burse (Bursa) and established the Janissaries. The map describes the Various sultans' exploits, such as Amurath (Murad) I's pioneering movement of thousands of Turks into Europe via Genoese vessels or the tumultuous reign of Ibrahim, who faced strife with the Venetians and later met his fate by strangulation in 1648.
Pierre Duval (1618-1683) was a French geographer, cartographer, and publisher who worked in Abbeville and Paris during the seventeenth century. He was born in the former city, in northeast France, before moving to Paris. Duval was the nephew of the famous cartographer Nicolas Sanson, from whom he learned the mapmaker's art and skills. Both men worked at the royal court, having followed the royal request for artists to relocate to Paris. In addition to numerous maps and atlases, Du Val's opus also includes geography texts. He held the title of geographe ordinaire du roi from 1650 and died in 1683, when his wife and daughters took over his business.
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