Acquired From: Leen Helmink
Colouring: Uncoloured
Condition: Fair
Date Acquired: 11/3/2023
Description: The frontispiece to Merian's work is a pictorial representation of the continents with four figures grouped around a globe and with the title at the foot. The four figures are all female and are given labels designating their respective continent. At the top, in full regalia with plumed helmet sits the figure of Europe. A putto to the right holds a trumpet and a caduceus. In this instance the latter emblem is likely to stand for Eloquence and Reason and to personify Peace. Another putto to the left has an open book with the words Religio Christiana leaving no doubt as to the supreme religion of the world. Seated below Europe and on a crocodile is the black figure of Africa, unclothed except for a broad flat hat and earings. She holds a scallop and behind her is an elephant. To her left (on the right side of the titlepage) is America, again naked except for a feather head-dress. She holds a necklace and several plumes of which one longer one is cast over her shoulder. She is accompanied by a parrot. Finally, to the left is Asia, clad only in a loose skirt from the waist down and with flowing tresses from her turban. She holds a shaped bow associated with Mongol tribes, and behind her is a grimacing lion. The signature of the engraver Joachim Sandrart appears at lower right.
First published: the Nieuwe Archontologia Cosmica Frankfurt, Mathaus Merian
Image Size (cm): 18.5×30
Mapmaker: Sandrart, Joachim von (1606-1688)
Other states: 1649, Second; 1695, Third third editon in
Price: 350
Primary Category: Titlepage
Purchase Reference: Email 11 March 2023
Sheet size (cm): 21×32.5
Shirley ID #: 42 Courtiers and Cannibals
Technique: Copper Engraving
This state: 1638
Laisser un commentaire