Accurater Grundris der Königl. Spanischen Haupt und Residentz Stadt Madrit mit denen Prospecten des Königl. Schlosses...

Article description

Original antique copper engraving, hand colored in outline and wash when published. This decorative map shows the ground plan in a bird´s eye view of the Royal town Madrid in Spain. Inside the map are places, streets and a ground plan of houses engraved. At the right upper corner is the church St. Antonio engraved. In the lower part you find four small inset maps, which show the Royal castle of Madrid, a scene with a bullfight, a bird´s eye view of the Royal palace and a view of Madrid. Decorative plan of Madrid, the Spanish capital. The city plan is richly ornated by various garden scenes, as well below with views of the Royal Residence, Aranjuez and the Place Major. Johann Baptist Homann (20 March 1664 – 1 July 1724) was a German geographer and cartographer, who also made maps of the Americas. Homann was born in Oberkammlach near Kammlach in the Electorate of Bavaria. Although educated at a Jesuit school, and preparing for an ecclesiastical career, he eventually converted to Protestantism and from 1687 worked as a civil law notary in Nuremberg. He soon turned to engraving and cartography; in 1702 he founded his own publishing house. Homann acquired renown as a leading German cartographer, and in 1715 was appointed Imperial Geographer by Emperor Charles VI. Giving such privileges to individuals was an added right that the Holy Roman Emperor enjoyed. In the same year he was also named a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin. Of particular significance to cartography were the imperial printing privileges (Latin: privilegia impressoria). These protected for a time the authors in all scientific fields such as printers, copper engravers, map makers and publishers. They were also very important as a recommendation for potential customers. In 1716 Homann published his masterpiece Grosser Atlas ueber die ganze Welt (Grand Atlas of all the World). Numerous maps were drawn up in cooperation with the engraver Christoph Weigel the Elder, who also published Siebmachers Wappenbuch. Homann died in Nuremberg in 1724. He was succeeded by his son Johann Christoph (1703-1730). The company carried on upon his death as Homann heirs company, managed by Johann Michael Franz and Johann Georg Ebersberger. After subsequent changes in management the company folded in 1852.[1] The company was known as "Homann Erben", "Homanniani Heredes", or "Heritiers de Homann" abroad. (Wikipedia)