1843-1850 Europe
By: Victor Levasseur
Date: 1843-1850 (circa)
Dimensions: 13 x 17.4 inches (33 x 44.2 cm)
Victor Levasseur's 'Atlas National' was one of the most decorative and visually striking atlases of the 19th century. This striking map of Europe exemplified Levasseur’s technique and great sense of style, replete with aesthetic and allegorical imagery. European art and science is represented by cherubs involved in various activities including mapmaking, painting, sculpting, writing, reading and computation. A small plume rises from Mount Vesuvius in the background. A lone male and female figure on either side of the map symbolise industry and agriculture whilst a seated monarch above it personifies the Kingdoms of Europe. Within the image are contained two texts. One describes the great abundance and diversity of Europe and its peoples, while the other provides population figures for each country depicted.
About the 19th Century French Cartographer Victor Levasseur
Victor Levasseur was an important French engineer, cartographer, and engraver of the mid-19th century who held a number of important cartographically related political and educations posts in France. He is most famous for his Atlas National Illustré des 86 Départements et des Possessions de La France, a large decorative atlas of France, including his Planisphere and five important continental maps. Levasseur's maps are distinctive for their wide decorative margins containing elaborate depictions of the scenery, peoples, and trade goods of the areas he mapped. Levasseur maps are also known to offer a wealth of statistical data. Until recently, very few Levasseur Atlases migrated out of France where they were mostly used in public libraries and town halls.
Condition: This map is in A condition.
Inventory #10983
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