Large Map of Castiles Southern Realms, 1652

Details

Description

This antique map, titled 'Les Etats de la Couronne de Castille', represents the southern regions of the Crown of Castile, … Read more This antique map, titled 'Les Etats de la Couronne de Castille', represents the southern regions of the Crown of Castile, specifically the territories of Andalusia, Granada, and Murcia. Created by the renowned French cartographer Nicolas Sanson and published by Pierre Mariette, it is a piece dating back to around 1652. The map is intricately detailed, featuring the names of many towns and geographical features in a dense, script-like font. The boundaries of each region are outlined in colored lines, with Andalusia, Granada, and Murcia distinctly marked. Major rivers and mountain ranges are illustrated, providing a sense of the varied topography of the region. The cartouche in the upper left corner is an elegant design, typical of the period's style, with the title of the map inscribed within. The map includes a scale bar (‘Echelle’) in the upper right corner, which would allow the viewer to understand distances on the map. While the map itself is designed for practical use, it also serves as a historical document, showing the division of territories and the extent of the Spanish empire's reach in the mid-17th century. See less