Coromandel, par le Sr. d‘Anville, Secretaire de S.A.S.Mgr. le Duc d‘Orleans

1753

Original hand-coloured copper engraving on paper

Print Size: 38 x 19.75 in (96 x 50 cm)
With Mount: 44.25 x 26 in (112.5 x 66.2 cm)

This map, created in 1789 by Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville, represents a significant and intricately detailed depiction of the Coromandel Coast in India. This map, presented on two distinct sheets, delineates the southeastern coastline of India, extending from Nega-Patnam (Nagapattinam) to the north, reaching Narsapur, and penetrating inland to encompass Tiruchirappalli and Hyderabad. It provides a comprehensive overview of the Coromandel Coast of India, identifying key port cities such as Madras (Chennai), Nagappattinam (Negapatam), Pondicherry (Puducherry), and Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu), among others. A multitude of significant rivers, towns, villages, roads, and various other topographical features are meticulously documented throughout. Mountain ranges are depicted in silhouette.

The Coromandel Coast derives its name from the ancient Chola Dynasty, which governed the area from the 3rd century BC to the 13th century AD. The Portuguese established their presence in the region in the 16th century, subsequently joined by the British, French, and Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries. This influx of European powers engendered rivalries, all vying for dominance over Indian trade. The governance of the Coromandel Coast oscillated between the French and British powers for almost a century.

Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville (1697-1782)
Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville stands as a prominent figure among French geographers of the 18th century. He conducted thorough investigations to produce his maps, significantly advancing the technical expertise of cartography in his era. His approach was characterized by simplicity and restraint that contrasted with the more elaborate styles of numerous predecessors. It garnered extensive acceptance among his peers and those who followed him.

The offspring of a tailor, d’Anville exhibited remarkable cartographic skill from an early age; his inaugural map, depicting Ancient Greece, was published when he was merely 15 years old. At the age of 22, he received the distinguished appointment as one of the King’s ordinary geographers. He provided instruction to the young Louis XV during his tenure in service to the Crown. Nevertheless, royal appointment did not cover all expenses, prompting d’Anville to undertake additional work for the Portuguese Crown starting in 1724. For instance, he contributed to the expansion of Dom João V’s library by incorporating geographical texts and produced maps that illustrated Portugal’s African colonies.

D’Anville expressed discontent with the practice of simply replicating elements from existing maps; he favoured a more rigorous approach that involved consulting the original texts that informed those maps in order to create his own representations. This prompted him to welcome unfilled voids for uncharted territories and to dismiss titles that lacked corroboration from additional references. He accumulated an extensive personal map library and established a network of sources that encompassed Jesuits in China and learned individuals in Brazil. D’Anville’s historical methodology in cartography yielded maps that are magnificently detailed, embodying a modern and scholarly essence. For instance, his 1743 cartographic representation of Italy surpassed all antecedent maps and featured a memoir detailing his scholarly inquiries and advancements. The geographer further focused on the intricacies of ancient historical geography.

In 1773, d’Anville was appointed as the premier géographe de roi. In 1780, he transferred his extensive library to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, designating it as a reference library for diplomats. D’Anville is renowned for his numerous cartographic contributions, notably his map of China, which was first released in 1735 and subsequently featured in Du Halde’s historical account of the region (The Hague, 1737). His cartographic representation of Africa, created in 1749, remained in use well into the nineteenth century.

This lot will be shipped unframed.

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition.