L’Allemagne

An uncommon map covering much of the Holy Roman Empire during the early 18th century.

Though described in the title cartouche as L’Allemagne, French for Germany, this map long predates the modern German state as we know it today. A second dedicatory title, translated here from its original Latin, provides further context – “A new description of the German Empire and divided into all its electoral circles for the use of the most serene Duke of Burgundy”.

At the time of publication, Germany was fractured between numerous smaller states, kingdoms, and duchies that comprised the larger Holy Roman Empire. Other entities included within the image are the Kingdoms of Poland, France, and Prussia, the Dutch United Provinces, the Swiss Confederation, and the Republic of Venice. Outline color attempts to make sense of the complicated territorial situation, with numerous enclaves, contested borders, and independent cities all adding to the confusion.

The myriad of interests is reflected in the numerous distance scales in the lower right, which also contains a key identifying the symbols for an Archdiocese, Bishopric, Chateau, and University. A second cartouche in the opposite corner is surrounded by decorative embellishments, allegorical figures, weapons of war, and garland held aloft by the Imperial Eagle.

The map was published with imperial privilege in Amsterdam by Johannes Covens and Pierre Mortier and dedicated to Louis, Duke of Burgundy. The image is based on earlier cartography by Guillaume D’Lisle and Nicholas Sanson using sources such as Tycho-Brahé, Kepler, Snellius, and other members of the Royal Academy of Sciences (according to the cartouche).

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