ILLYRICUM CROATIA & BOSNIA 1573 ORTELIUS UNUSUAL ANTIQUE COPPER ENGRAVED MAP

Illyricum. 

Description: Striking and highly detailed fine unusual 1573 Abraham Ortelius's copper engraved map of the historical region of Illyricum. Covers the region from Triest and Villach in the west, to Brod in the east, along the course of the Sava, centered on Zagreb and Novograd.
 
Includes nice detail along the Dalmatian Coast, including Zara, Alt Zara and Spalato, among other coastal towns.
 
Illyricum was a Roman province that existed from 27 BC to sometime during the reign of Vespasian (69–79 AD). The province comprised the regions of Illyria/Dalmatia in the south and Pannonia in the north. Illyria included the area along the east coast of the Adriatic Sea and its inland mountains. Pannonia included the northern plains that now are part of Serbia, Croatia and Hungary. Illyricum included part or all of the territories of today's Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia.
 
The map showcases an intricate line work that delineates the geographical features. The detailed depiction of topography and settlements signifies the high level of craftsmanship and cartographic knowledge of the era.
 
Style and Subject Matter:
 
Ortelius’s work is characteristic of late Renaissance cartography, combining scientific precision with artistic embellishment. The map focuses on Illyricum, a region that historically spanned parts of modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. It is rich in geographical details, including rivers, mountain ranges, and settlements, which are labeled in Latin, reflecting the scholarly language of the time.
 
Notable Features:
 
Significant landmarks include the Sinus Hadraticus (Adriatic Sea) prominently labeled and depicted with wave-like patterns. The map features a detailed network of rivers, which are crucial for understanding the region’s geography. The borders of various territories are delineated, providing insights into the political boundaries of the time.
 
The map includes an ornate cartouche in the lower right corner, which contains the title "Illyricum" and an inscription from Ioan Sambucus to Ortelius. This dedication highlights the collaborative nature of cartographic work during this period. The decorative elements surrounding the cartouche reflect the artistic style of the Renaissance, often incorporating floral motifs and scrollwork.
 
Cultural and Historical Context:
 
This map is part of Ortelius’s atlas, which was the first modern atlas, compiling maps in a uniform style and format. Ortelius’s work was significant in the history of cartography because it moved away from the medieval T-O maps and embraced a more scientific approach to mapping. The atlas was widely influential, enhancing understanding of geography in Europe and beyond.
 
The historical context of this map includes the Habsburg influence in the region, as indicated by the use of Latin and the detailed attention to territories that were of strategic importance to the Habsburg Empire. The map reflects the Renaissance interest in classical antiquity, as the region of Illyricum was significant in ancient Roman history.
 
Significance:
 
Abraham Ortelius is regarded as a pivotal figure in the development of cartography, and his maps are valued for their historical and artistic significance. This map of Illyricum not only serves as a geographical representation but also as a cultural artifact that provides insights into the political, historical, and artistic milieu of early 17th-century Europe. The inclusion of new maps and the integration of classical geography with contemporary cartographic techniques exemplify the intellectual currents of the Renaissance.
 
Overall, the "Illyricum" map is a testament to the skill and vision of Ortelius, offering a window into the past through its detailed and artful depiction of a historically significant region.

Date: 1573 ( undated )

Dimension: Paper size approx.: cm 53,8 x 40,9

Condition: Very strong and dark impression on good paper. Paper with chains and wiremark. Map old original colored. Small foxing and browning. Small tears repaired on the reverse. Map folded. Conditions are as you can see in the images. 

Mapmaker: Abraham Ortelius (1527 - 1598) was one of the most important figures in the history of cartography and is most famously credited with the compilation of the seminal 1570 atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, generally considered to be the world's first modern atlas. Ortelius was born in Antwerp and began his cartographic career in 1547 as a typesetter for the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke. In this role Ortelius traveled extensively through Europe where he came into contact with Mercator, under whose influence, he marketed himself as a "scientific geographer". In this course of his long career he published numerous important maps as well as issued several updated editions of his cardinal work, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Late in his career Ortelius was appointed Royal Cartographer to King Phillip II of Spain. On his death in July fourth, 1598, Ortelius' body was buried in St Michael's Præmonstratensian Abbey, Antwerp, where his tombstone reads, Quietis cultor sine lite, uxore, prole.