Geographia Synodica, Sive regionum urbium, et locorum ubi celebrata sunt concilia oecumenica, nationalia,...

Article description

Rare and decorative large-format historical map of Europe showing the locations of Church Councils and Synods, in original outline color. By Guillaume Sanson (1633–1703), Géographe du Roy, published by Pierre Mariette, Paris, 1667. Image: 395 x 565 mm (15.5 x 22 inches). Decorated with a superb allegorical title cartouche depicting a Catholic council in session — a unique historical and cartographic document. Guillaume Sanson (1633–1703) was a leading French cartographer who inherited the celebrated family firm from his father Nicolas Sanson (1600–1667) — known as the 'Father of French Cartography' and official Géographe du Roy to Louis XIV. Like his father, Guillaume held the title of Géographe Ordinaire du Roy. Much of his work after 1671 was published in collaboration with Alexis-Hubert Jaillot, and together the Sanson dynasty dominated French cartography throughout the 17th century. Their maps are held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the British Library, and major research collections worldwide. This large and striking map plots the locations of ecumenical councils, national synods, provincial councils, and diocesan synods across Europe — a unique cartographic subject of combined religious and historical significance. The coverage extends from the British Isles and Iberian Peninsula across to the eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus and Syria, with North Africa also shown. Political borders are rendered in hand-applied outline color. The splendid allegorical title cartouche depicts a Catholic council in session and was engraved to the highest standard of the Parisian workshop. The Geographia Synodica is among the most unusual and collectible maps ever published of Europe: a historic document of scholarship, faith, and cartographic craft. In excellent condition. Original outline color fresh and vivid. The centrefold shows minor spotting, as expected for a 17th-century map of this size; all else excellent. No tears or significant foxing. 395 x 565 mm.

Geographia Synodica – Map of Church Councils · Guillaume Sanson · P. Mariette, Paris 1667 · Original Hand-Colored Copper Engraving