Atlas historique Tome II

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Good

Confirmed: No

Dealers ID No.: 15044

Description: Henri Abraham Châtelain in conjunction with his father Zacharie and brother Zacharie junior produced the Atlas historique under several different Chatelain imprints, depending on the Chatelain family partnerships at the time of publication. nIt was published in seven volumes: Volume 1 in 1705, volumes 2 and 3 (volume 2, second part) in 1708, volume 4 in 1714, volumes 5 and 6 in 1719 and volume 7 in 1720. The Atlas was encyclopaedic, educational, and moralistic. It provided dissertations and chronologies of historical events, maps ( 247 and 248), which were engraved by Henri and primarily based on those of the French mapmaker Guillaume Delisle, as well as pages on governmental, ( 249 and 250), military and ecclesiastical institutionsnSix different titlepages are associated with the Atlas historique. These are the work of Romeijn de Hooghe and were engraved by J. Goeree, T. Schynyoet and P. Sluyter. The titlepage for the second volume ( #302 and #361) can be identified by the large circular plinth at the bottom with the wording Atlas Historique Tome II. Seated centrally on the plinth is the allegorical figure of Truth with her mirror enabling her to look backwards into the past. In her right hand she supports a book in which the bearded figure of History records the occurrence of events. Behind her, seated on a great sphere, is Zeus with his attributes of orb, sceptre and an eagle; he also clasps his missives of thunder and lightning. The winged figure of Time, with his scythe, can be seen to the right with another figure who perhaps represents maritime trade as he grasps a steering rudder and counts coins on the flat top of an urn. There is a glimpse of ships at sea through lowering clouds. nIn the upper half of this complex scenario are further figures representing the European nations textually described in the second volume of the Atlas Historique. Clearly distinguishable is the crowned figure of Great Britain, with appropriate armorial shield, but not all the others can be positively identified. The winged lion grasping a sword with one paw is often associated with St. Mark and thus Venice; the seated figure with a cap of liberty may be France, and (to her left) another crowned female is likely to be Spain. There is a large obelisk clad with medallions and at the foot a symbolic female Holy Roman Emperor. She is clad in an ermine gown, has an olive wreath on her head, and dangles a cluster of portrait medals from one wrist perhaps representing images of her predecessors. Signatures at the foot indicate that the design was by Romeyn de Hooghe and the engraving by Pieter Sluyter.

First published: Atlas historique, ou nouvelle introduction à l'histoire, à la chronologie & à la géographie ancienne & moderne vol 2, Amsterdam: Henri Abraham Chatelain

Image Size (cm): 38.2×23.5

Mapmaker: Sluyter, Pieter (1675?-1713)

Notes: Purchase details

Primary Category: Titlepage

Rarity: R3 Uncommon – dealers can usually obtain a copy

Sheet size (cm): 42×26.3

Shirley ID #: 75 Courtiers and Cannibals

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1719