Africa - .; Sanson / Mariette - Afrique - 1650

Subject / Title:
Africa.

Author / Cartographer:
Nicolas Sanson d'Abbeville (1600–1667).

Engraver:
Abraham Peyrounin.

Designer:
Nicolas Sanson d'Abbeville.

Publisher / Printer:
Pierre Mariette.

Place:
Paris.

Era / Date:
1650.

Technique:
Engraved copperplate print with contemporary hand color at the borders.

Support:
Ancient rag paper.

Dimensions:
Sheet: 56.5 × 42.5 cm.
Engraving impression: 55.5 × 39 cm.

Composition:
Full-page map with an ornamental cartouche engraved and original typographic text on the verso, taken from a French edition of Nicolas Sanson’s atlas published by Pierre Mariette.

Description

Important original map of Africa, published in Paris in 1650 by Pierre Mariette from the design of the renowned cartographer Nicolas Sanson d'Abbeville, unanimously regarded as the founder of the modern French cartographic school. The engraving, executed by Abraham Peyrounin, constitutes one of the most significant representations of the African continent produced in the second half of the 17th century and marks the definitive shift from Renaissance cartography, rich in fantastical elements, to a representation based on more rigorous and up-to-date geographic criteria.

The plate depicts the entire African continent, extending from the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean to the Cape of Good Hope, including Madagascar, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and part of the Arabian Peninsula. The geographic grid, the abundant toponymy, and the precise depiction of the coasts attest to the high level reached by French cartography in the first half of the 17th century. The interior of the continent reflects the geographical knowledge available at the time, with indications of the major African kingdoms, historical regions, great river systems, and known lakes.

The topography is rendered with an elegant perspective hatch, while the grid of meridians and parallels gives the composition a rigorous scientific framework. The boundaries of the main regions are enriched by contemporary hand coloring, still fresh and well preserved, which enhances the readability of the map without altering the delicate graphic balance.

Of particular value is the refined decorative cartouche in the upper right corner, adorned with vegetal motifs, festoons, and a grotesque mask, within which appears the title Afrique with royal privilege granted to Pierre Mariette. The whole is one of the most elegant examples of 17th-century French cartographic production, where scientific precision, engraving quality, and ornamental taste harmonize.

Historical-artistical note

Nicolas Sanson d'Abbeville (1600–1667) is considered the father of modern French cartography. His works introduced a new scientific approach to geographic representation, based on critical comparison of historical sources, travel accounts, and the most up-to-date geographic knowledge of the era. His maps progressively replaced decorative Flemish-style representations with more rigorous and functional plates, intended for scholars as well as political and military circles.

The Afrique map, published in 1650 by Pierre Mariette, represents one of the most important plates devoted to the African continent in Sanson’s production. The engraving, executed by Abraham Peyrounin, was reissued several times during the 17th century and deeply influenced subsequent European cartography. Today it is regarded as one of the fundamental maps for studying the evolution of geographic knowledge of Africa in the modern age and is regularly cited in the major specialized bibliography devoted to 17th-century French cartography.

Condition Report

A specimen in generally good conservational state. Ancient rag paper with full margins and a clear, well-contrasted print impression. Contemporary border coloring well preserved, with colors still vivid and uniform. The usual central vertical editorial fold is present, consolidated on the back with a small, non-invasive conservation reinforcement, not perceptible on the recto. White verso, free of typographic text. Slight and widespread oxidations, some minute foxing, and physiologic signs of time compatible with the age of the work.