Atlas minor sive tabulae geographicae

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Fair

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 28/1/2018

Description: This engraved title page appears in Atlas minor, an atlas compiled and published by Carel Allard in 1697. The work was assembled largely from existing map plates inherited from earlier Dutch publishers, typical of Allards production. The Allard family publishing house had been founded in Amsterdam around 1645 by Hugo (Huych) Allard, who specialised in separately issued maps and reengravings. Following Hugos death in 1691, his son Carel expanded the firms output, producing several atlases including the Atlas minor and, later, the more extensive Atlas major in 1705.nThe title page is rich in allegorical symbolism, centred on the mythological figure Atlas, shown standing atop a monumental pedestal as he supports the celestial sphere upon his shoulders. Below the pedestal are figures drawn from classical mythology and personification:n''Poseidon ''(Neptune), god of the sea, gestures toward Europe on a large terrestrial globe with his tridenta symbol of maritime power and earth-shaping force.nOpposite him stands ''Cronos ''(Saturn), winged and bearing a scythe, emblematic of time and the cycles of history.nIn the foreground, seated left, is ''Cybele'', the personification of Mother Earth and ruler of Nature, identified by her mural crown, lion companion, and symbols of abundance and sovereignty: a key and a horn.nNext to her sits ''Geography'', inscribing a book and holding dividers. At her feet lie instruments of measurement and navigation: an L-square, astrolabe, crossbow, a chain, and a possibly rolled chart.nAbove them, the heavens are animated by ''Zeus ''(Jupiter), who raises his lightning bolt as a sign of authority, while ''Hera ''(Juno), his consort, balances the ''Sun ''and ''Moon''symbols of celestial order and equilibrium.

First published: Atlas minor sive tabulae geographicae proecipuorum regnorum regionum, insularum, provinicarum, etc Amsterdam: Carel Allard

Image Size (cm): 49.5×29.5

Mapmaker: Allard, Carel (1648-1709)

Price: 800

Primary Category: Titlepage

Purchase Reference: Ledger 2022

References: According to Shirley, the reclining lion represents Leo Hollandicus, an emblem for the province in which Amsterdam is situated.

Sheet size (cm): 55.7×32

Shirley ID #: 77 Courtiers and Cannibals

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1697