Original antique map offering a detailed cartographic depiction of Eastern France, showing the duchies of Lorraine and Bar, along with the bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun.
Published in 1716, in Homann's ”Grosser Atlas”, this map reflects the complex political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire and the intricate territorial divisions of the region.
In the first half of the 18th century, the region of Lorraine (Lotharingia) was a significant area in Central Europe, marked by its strategic location and political importance.
Historically a duchy within the Holy Roman Empire, Lorraine frequently found itself at the crossroads of European power struggles. The Duchy of Bar, adjacent to Lorraine, shared a similar history of fluctuating sovereignty and territorial disputes. Major cities within the region include Nancy, the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, and Metz, a key ecclesiastical and administrative center.
The bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun, known as the Three Bishoprics, were significant ecclesiastical territories that had been annexed by France in the mid-16th century but were still depicted in maps of the Holy Roman Empire due to their historical ties. These regions are characterized by their fortified cities, religious significance, and economic activity.
Prominent rivers such as the Moselle and the Meuse flow through this area, providing critical waterways for trade and transportation, and enhancing the strategic value of the territories.
The cartouche of this map is richly decorated with allegorical figures that symbolize the region's characteristics and its political status. The central figure, a warrior clad in classical armor, likely represents the martial spirit and historical conflicts of Lorraine. Surrounding this figure are other allegorical elements, including a river god symbolizing the region's abundant waterways and a cherub holding a shield adorned with Lorraine's coat of arms.
This artistic embellishment serves not only as a decorative element but also conveys the significance and prestige of the region. The cherub and classical motifs emphasize the historical depth and the cultural heritage of Lorraine and its surrounding territories. Homann's use of such detailed allegorical imagery reflects the Baroque style prevalent in cartography of the period, where maps were both practical tools and works of art
Johann Baptist Homann was a German cartographer, engraver, and publisher who founded a major map-making firm in Nuremberg in 1702. Initisll he trained in Theology and law but laeter changed to cartography and engraving. He transformed German map making by combining scientific knowledeg with artisitic and ecorative elements. He is best know for hos two major works, the “Atlas Novus Terrarum Orbis” (1707) and the “Grosser Atlas über die ganze Welt” (1716)
In 1715, he was appointed Imperial Geographer to Emperor Charles VI.
