PORTENDICK-PORTUDADDI-MAURITANIA [Jakob VAN DER SCHLEY after PREVOST, 1747]

Description

Plan de Portendic, appelle aussi Portudaddi ou Penia (…).

Copperplate engraving/etching on Hand laid (Verge) paper.
Sheet size: 20,8 x 26,7 cm. Image size: 14,4 x 21,5 cm.

From vol. 3 of a Dutch ed. of Prevost’s monumental work: ‘Historische Beschryving der Reizen […]’, published in The Hague by Pieter de Hondt, 1748. Antoine Francois Prevost d’Exiles’ (or Abbe Prevost’s) multi-volume “Histoire Generale Des Voyages” (1746-1759): ultimately 17 quarto volumes recounting major voyages of discovery and descriptions of far flung parts and including around 240 maps, plans and charts of those areas. These maps, plans and charts were mostly produced by Jacques Nicolas Bellin, the influential French hydrographer. Bellin’s work spans from around 1740 to the 1770s; interestingly he signed his plates in a variety of styles – J. Bellin, N. Bellin, N.B., M.B. (Monsieur Bellin) and S.B. (Seigneur Bellin).

Made by Jakob van der Schley after Jacques-Nicolas Bellin. Engraver: Jakob van der Schley (Amsterdam 1715-1779) was a Dutch draughtsman and engraver. He studied under Bernard Picart and became heavily influenced by his style. Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was among the most important mapmakers of the eighteenth century. In 1721, at age 18, he was appointed hydrographer (chief cartographer) to the French Navy. In August 1741, he became the first Ingénieur de la Marine of the Depot des cartes et plans de la Marine (the French Hydrographic Office) and was named Official Hydrographer of the French King. Bellin set a very high standard of workmanship and accuracy, thus gaining for France a leading role in European cartography and geography. Many of his maps were copied by other mapmakers of Europe. Antoine Francois Prevost d’Exiles (1697-1763), usually known simply as the Abbe Prevost, was a French author and novelist.

Condition: Good, given age. Some browning of paper. Light foxing General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

Keywords: PORTENDICK-PORTUDADDI-MAURITANIA

PCO-A7-28