An elegant Provence map by Jansson

Description

This highly decorative map by Jan Jansson depicts the southeastern French region of Provence in exceptional detail. It is shown in its historical borders, with, for instance, the city of Nice being just outside of it.

Rich in geographical detail, the map features pictorial representation of relief, vegetation, towns, and cities. The Rhône and Durance rivers stand out, with the Camargue delta a highlight. Further interesting details include the depiction of salt pans (Salins) in the Étang de Berre lagoon (Mer de Martigue) and the still intact famous Avignon bridge, before its final partial collapse in the late 17^th century.

Amongst the countless placenames provided, easily identifiable locations include Avignon (Auigno), Arles, Aix-en-Provence (Aix), Marseille, Brignoles, (Brignole), Toulon, Draguignan, Grimaud (Grimault), Sainte-Maxime (S. Maxime), Fréjus (Freiuls), Cannes (Canes), Antibes (Antibo), and Nice, to name but a few.

The map features three decorative strapwork cartouches. At top left, the title cartouche is styled as the open mouth of an animal-like being. Attached to the bottom of it is the coat of arms of Provence, surmounted by a crown. At bottom left is a cartouche holding two distance scales. The third cartouche, at bottom right, specifies Amsterdam (Amstelodami) as the map’s publishing location and Jansson as publisher.

The map is further adorned with an elaborate compass rose and a sailing ship in the Mediterranean Sea.

A beautiful map of this well-known French region.

Publication

The present example of the map has a blank verso and was therefore possibly published in a composite atlas. There are two manuscript pagination annotations at top right (25) as well as on verso (Fol. 25).

Condition

Fine.

A clear impression on an intact sheet, issued folding. Beautiful early colouring, mostly in outline and to cartouches and embellishments, with minor smudge to left of title cartouche. Faint toning along edges.

Item #: 02673

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