Sanson – AFRIQUE

Hammer

R4,000

Sanson – AFRIQUE

More Information

Nicolas Sanson
AFRIQUE

Paris: Pierre Mariette, (1650) [1650-1676]

Copperplate, centrefold, age toning to edges, foxing, bottom right: A Peyrounin Sculp; “83” & “80” in ink next to top of centrefold; verso: blank, small piece of paper glued to upper right corner, paint show through, age toning along centrefold, “Afrique” & “83” in ink in top right corner

from Les Cartes Generales

39 by 55,5cm

LITERATURE
Betz # 78

A landmark map that signaled the growing challenge of the French against the Dutch mapmakers of the seventeenth century. Unlike the previous practice of copying Dutch maps, this is the first French map to include significantly new information. This is particularly notable in areas under French control, such as Madagascar and West Africa. Another change is the attempt to be precise and scientific in the depiction of information, resulting in areas with sparse information. The major divisions within Africa follow older conventions though, for example the land of Ethiopie extends far into southern Africa.