Subject: Western Europe, Rhine River
Period: 1783 (dated)
Publication:
Color: Hand Color
Size:
19.1 x 23.5 inches
48.5 x 59.7 cm
This handsome and richly detailed map covers the course of the Rhine from Boden See (Lake Constance) to the North Sea. It shows Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and parts of the Netherlands. The region is divided into its political divisions, and there is nice topographical detail. A key at top right indicates capital cities, villages, abbeys, fortified towns, country and post roads, and more. An inset at bottom right shows the origin of the Rhine. The map is further adorned with four distance scales and a title cartouche featuring a river god and goddesses, a caduceus, lute, and other allegorical symbols. Engraved by Johann Michael Schmidt.
References:
Condition: B
Contemporary color on watermarked paper with short archivally repaired centerfold separations at left and right. There is minor toning, light soiling, and a small dampstain along the right sheet edge. Trimmed close to the border at bottom.