Antique French Map of Indre-et-Loire, 1800s

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Description

This beautifully engraved map illustrates the département of Indre-et-Loire, located in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. Produced in … Read more This beautifully engraved map illustrates the département of Indre-et-Loire, located in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. Produced in the mid-19th century by Alexandre Vuillemin, it comes from his celebrated atlas of the French départements, notable for combining precise cartography with decorative embellishments. The map shows the towns, rivers, and major roads of the département, with departmental borders outlined in original hand color. Surrounding the map are finely engraved portraits and vignettes that celebrate the region’s historical and cultural heritage. Portraits include Charles VII, the French king, and the celebrated Renaissance writer François Rabelais. At the bottom right is a portrait of Destouches, the French dramatist. A vignette at lower left shows the evocative ruins of the Château de Loches, a medieval fortress of great historical importance. Indre-et-Loire is the heart of the Loire Valley, renowned for its châteaux, vineyards, and as a cradle of French history and literature.

Condition report: Excellent condition with crisp impression and well-preserved hand coloring. Very light toning and occasional minor foxing in the margins, not affecting the image.
Technique: Engraving with original hand color Maker: Alexandre Vuillemin, France, mid-19th century See less