A beautiful Coronelli map of Normandy

Description

This elegant and detailed map by Coronelli focuses on the French region of Normandy. It reaches from the English Channel in the north to the historical province of Maine in the south, and from the Celtic Sea in the west (also showing the island of Jersey) to the border with Picardie in the east.

Rich in geographical detail, the map features pictorial representation of relief, vegetation, towns, and cities, with countless placenames provided. Easily identifiable are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Cherbourg), Caen, Le Havre (Havre de Grace), Dieppe, Rouen, Vernon, Évreux, and Alençon, to name but a few. Also outlined and named are the region’s bishoprics.

At the top, the map is richly adorned with a large, decorative title cartouche and distance scale as well as a coat of arms.

The title cartouche portrays Leda and the Swan, with Cupid depicted as well. It also contains a dedication to Pietro Donà (c. 1390-1447), an archbishop, humanist, and patron of art from the House of Donà – an old patrician family of Venice.

The coat of arms, held up by two putti, is that of the Donà dalle Rose – the main branch of the House of Donà.

To the right of the title cartouche, a male figure shown from the back, possibly Poseidon or Neptune, carries a compass divider and a rule which doubles as the distance scale, with the Italian mile being the unit depicted.

Beneath the title cartouche, the map also features a detailed legend, explaining symbols and abbreviations used.

A highly decorative and informative map of this French region.

Publication

Corso geografico universale [?] [1692]

Condition

Fine.

A clear impression on an intact sheet. Issued folding, now flattened. Beautiful colouring in outline and to cartouche and embellishments.

Reference

House of Donà. (2025, September 26). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Don%C3%A0

Item #: 02916

US $650.00

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