1708 – J. Senex – France
500 €
Title: “Carte de France corrected from y informations made by Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris by Iohn Senex 1708″
Description:
Large and very detailed antique map of the France by John Senex, showing updated depiction of the French kingdom based on the astronomical and topographical observations of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris.
May 1, 1682 members of the French Royal Academy of Sciences, presented a map of the coastal-outline of France to King Louis XIV as he had commissioned them. “Draw a map of the whole of France with the greatest accuracy possible,” he commanded. The map, titled “Carte de France corrigée par ordre du Roi sur les observations de Mss. de l’Académie des Sciences,” exposed previous maps of France to be 160,000 square kilometers larger than reality. Known widely as the “La Hire map,” for one of its authors, Philippe de la Hire, it is the first national survey to use the most current science, modern trigonometric methods, and state of the art instruments. It precisely fixed points of latitude and longitude resulting in an outline of the coast of France accurate still today. It became the framework map for the production of 186 large scale topographic maps displaying the interior of all of France.
The Senex map dramatically portrays the 160,000 square kilometer error in the mapping of France. Superimposed upon the previously accepted boundaries as determined by Sanson and Dutch cartographers is a map of the coastal-outline of France according to La Hire. It points out dramatically the errors in determining the latitude and longitude of fixed points. The map is colored displaying the provinces of France and political boundaries are demarcated in outline color. It also includes parts of neighboring territories of Switzerland and Italy. The dedication cartouche at the lower left is addressed to Charles Boyle, 4th Earl of Orrery (1674–1731), a noted patron of the sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society. The upper right corner cartouche displays a portrait of Louis XIV, a trumpet-bearing cherub, the royal arms of France and a seated female figure with a cornucopia symbolizing abundance—emphasizing the power and prosperity of the French monarchy.
Cartographer: John Senex (1678 – 1740)
Sheet size: 93,0 x 67,7 cm
Year: 1708
Technique: copper engraving
Condition:
Good condition. Contemporary coloring. A few professional restorations present.
This is an original antique map published in 1708 and NOT a modern copy or reprint
On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity
In stock
