World map 1636

Melchior Tavernier

€ 9.500

Inter-Antiquariaat Mefferdt & De Jonge

• About the artwork
  RARE AND STRIKINGLY BEAUTIFUL WORLD MAP “Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula auct. Iud. Hondio.” Copper-engraved map from the “Théâtre Géographique Du Royaume de France…” published in Paris by Melchior Tavernier, here in its second state of 1636. Coloured by a later hand. Size: 39,0 x 57,5 cm (plus margins). This double hemisphere map is based on Jodocus Hondius' world map of 1617 or possibly Jacob Honervogt's map of 1625, who also followed Jodocus Hondius’map. The ecliptic curves on Tavernier's map are reversed so that the line is north of the equator in the western hemisphere and east of south of the equator in the eastern hemisphere. The map by Hondius was the first to show Le Maire's Straits and the islands in the Pacific discovered by Jacob Le Maire and his explorations in New Guinea. In North America, Hondius' map was also one of the earliest to delineate Hudson's Bay, making special reference to Henry Hudson and the Dutch and English expeditions there up to 1612. Hondius also extends the full course of the St. Lawrence river which now curiously runs across the continent, terminating in a large lake. Decoratively, the map is one of the most attractive. The corners contain scenes of the four seasons. Ver or Spring, shows gardeners tending a formal Dutch garden; Aestas or Summer is the time for sheep-shearing; Autumn brings the grape harvest in for wine-pressing; and in Hyems or Winter skaters revel on a frozen lake. On either side of north and south celestial hemispheres are recumbent figures representing the four elements: Terra, Aqua, Ignis and Aer. The map in the cartouche on the right, is dedicated to the English mathematicians Henry Briggs and Edward Wright. Literature: The Mapping of the World, Rodney Shirley no. 337, plate 230. Price: Euro 9.500,- (incl. frame)
• About the artist

  Melchior Tavernier I (1564 - 1641) was a French engraver of Flemish descent. Born in Antwerp, he was the son of Gabriel Tavernier and father of Melchior Tavernier II (1584 – 1665). He may have studied under Ortelius in Antwerp.

  His father Gabriel Tavernier is credited for introducing the roller press to Paris. He had the distinction of being Imprimeur en Tailles-douces de la Maison de Sa Majesté. Tavernier's workshop was located near the Pont Marchand, where apparently several other printers, including Gobert and Collet, also maintained businesses.

  Melchior Tavernier is the brother of the celebrated writer and traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689). Tavernier engraved several important maps for figures such as Samuel de Champlain, and others. Melchior Tavernier II's work is difficult to distinguish from that of his son, Melchior Tavernier II.

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