Original antique map with hand colouring byJean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville.
This map is a detailed representation of the region of Palestine crafted by Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville, a noted French geographer, in June 1767. It is part of an atlas of 45 maps of the world, published by D'Anville.
His map of Jersusalem reflects the classical style of cartography, emphasizing clarity and directness. The main map is complemented by three inset maps: "Les Tribus," which illustrates the territories of the twelve tribes of Israel; a detailed plan of Jerusalem; and "Positions determinees par les distances donnees," a map that uses a reduced scale to show specific locations.
It is a reflection of the Enlightenment era’s emphasis on scientific inquiry and precision. D'Anville was part of the Académie Royale des Belles-Lettres and the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, indicating his work’s recognition and authority. His maps were widely regarded for their accuracy and were often used as references by others.
Overall, "La Palestine" by Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville is a testament to the cartographic skill and scholarly rigor of the Enlightenment, offering a detailed, historically rich view of Palestine that continues to be of interest to historians and cartographer.
Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville was a French geographer and cartographer who greatly improved the standards of map-making. D'Anville became cartographer to the king, who purchased his cartographic materials, the largest collection in France. He made more than 200 maps during his lifetime, which are characterized by a careful, accurate work largely based on original research . In particular, D'Anville left unknown areas of continents blank and noted doubtful information as such, contrary to the lavish maps of his predecessors. His maps remained the reference point in cartography throughout the 19th century and were used by numerous explorers and travelers.
