SEUTTER, Matthäus (1678-1757)

Asia cum omnibus Imperiis, Provinciis, Statibus et Insulis

Augsburg: circa 1730. Copper-engraved map, with original colour. Sheet size: 20 3/4 x 23 1/4 inches.

A richly detailed map of Asia by one of the great eighteenth-century German cartographers.

The present map illustrates the Asian continent during the height of both the Mughal and Chinese Empires, prominently featuring The Great Wall of China. The map includes richly detailed cartouches that depict Asian princes, a Chinese scholar with a cup of tea, an elephant, a lion, and a pair of warriors, highlighting the region's cultural diversity and grandeur. Seutter's map serves not only as a geographical representation but also as a commentary on the socio-political dynamics of the time. It showcases the European quest for knowledge and understanding of Asia amidst an era of exploration and colonial expansion, marked by both fascination and misconception. The map remains a significant artifact of its time, embodying the complexities of cultural interaction, exploration, and cartographic artistry. Seutter was a prominent German cartographer in the early eighteenth century. Born in Augsburg, Seutter learned the mapmaking trade under the tutelage of Johann Baptist Homann, the foremost map publisher in Nuremberg at the time. By 1707, Seutter had established his own map publishing business in Augsburg, positioning himself as Homann's main rival. In recognition of his contributions to cartography, Seutter was appointed Geographer to the Imperial Court in 1715.

Tooley & Bricker, Landmarks of Mapmaking, p. 167-170.

Item #41886

Price: $900.00