Circa 1740 Covens & Mortier Map of the Seventeen Provinces of the Low Countries
An impressive original eighteenth-century map of the historic Seventeen Provinces, published in Amsterdam by the celebrated cartographic firm of Johannes Covens and Cornelis Mortier. Entitled Belgii XVII. Provintiarum Universa Tabula and alternatively XVII Provinces des Pays-Bas, the map presents the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, together with portions of northern France, western Germany and the eastern coast of England.
The map is especially notable for its two large allegorical cartouches. At lower left, armed figures surround measuring scales and a heraldic shield, symbolizing the military struggles that shaped the Low Countries. The magnificent lower-right composition incorporates soldiers, putti, agricultural produce and heraldic imagery, contrasting warfare with the region’s fertility and commercial prosperity. The detailed engraved surface identifies hundreds of cities, towns, rivers and political divisions, while delicate period outline coloring distinguishes the provinces.
The title credits the influential French cartographer Alexis-Hubert Jaillot, whose maps were widely copied and reissued by Dutch publishers. This Amsterdam edition is generally dated circa 1740; the Rijksmuseum assigns the issue to the period 1725–1750 and records it under Van der Heijden 237-4(4).
Original copper engraving on laid paper with period outline hand-coloring. The map displays extensive age-related deterioration and paper loss along the upper margin, with some losses entering the upper border and title area. Additional staining, marginal wear, small tears and a central atlas fold are present. Despite these faults, the principal geography and both elaborate cartouches remain substantially complete, and the impression retains excellent detail. An authentic and visually compelling survivor of eighteenth-century European cartography.
An impressive original eighteenth-century map of the historic Seventeen Provinces, published in Amsterdam by the celebrated cartographic firm of Johannes Covens and Cornelis Mortier. Entitled Belgii XVII. Provintiarum Universa Tabula and alternatively XVII Provinces des Pays-Bas, the map presents the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, together with portions of northern France, western Germany and the eastern coast of England.
The map is especially notable for its two large allegorical cartouches. At lower left, armed figures surround measuring scales and a heraldic shield, symbolizing the military struggles that shaped the Low Countries. The magnificent lower-right composition incorporates soldiers, putti, agricultural produce and heraldic imagery, contrasting warfare with the region’s fertility and commercial prosperity. The detailed engraved surface identifies hundreds of cities, towns, rivers and political divisions, while delicate period outline coloring distinguishes the provinces.
The title credits the influential French cartographer Alexis-Hubert Jaillot, whose maps were widely copied and reissued by Dutch publishers. This Amsterdam edition is generally dated circa 1740; the Rijksmuseum assigns the issue to the period 1725–1750 and records it under Van der Heijden 237-4(4).
Original copper engraving on laid paper with period outline hand-coloring. The map displays extensive age-related deterioration and paper loss along the upper margin, with some losses entering the upper border and title area. Additional staining, marginal wear, small tears and a central atlas fold are present. Despite these faults, the principal geography and both elaborate cartouches remain substantially complete, and the impression retains excellent detail. An authentic and visually compelling survivor of eighteenth-century European cartography.
