SEUTTER, Matthäus (1678-1757)

Africa iuxta navigationes et observationes recentissimas aucta et in sua Regna et Status divisa

Augsburg: circa 1730. Copper-engraved map, with original colour. Sheet size: 20 3/4 x 23 1/8 inches.

An elegant, richly detailed map of Africa by one of the great eighteenth-century German cartographers.

This exquisite map presents a detailed representation of Africa. At the bottom left corner, a grand, ornate cartouche depicts indigenous peoples, majestic pyramids, and exotic wildlife, including a leopard, lion, and crocodile. This decorative element underscores the allure and mystique of the African continent, revealing the European fascination with its diverse cultures and natural wonders. The map reveals the limited geographical knowledge Europeans possessed about the interior regions of Africa in the 18th century, particularly beyond the coastal areas and major rivers. Seutter perpetuates the Ptolemaic myth that the Nile is fed by two substantial lakes, Zaire and Zaflan, while also depicting a convoluted river system originating in the southern regions. Additionally, the map places the Abyssinian province of Amhara within the southern kingdom of Monomotapa, illustrating the prevailing misconceptions about the continent. The map is a marvelous amalgamation of contemporary knowledge, geographical speculation, and myth, reflecting the complex interplay of exploration and imagination. It serves as a fascinating document of its time, offering insights into the evolving understanding of Africa while showcasing the artistic and cartographic skill that characterized Seutter's work. 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 #41887

Price: $850.00