PROSP. DER STATT PARYS ...1654

£495

Superbly realised panorama of Paris, showing it within the context of the surrounding countryside replete with windmills. It effectively recreates what the mid-17th century traveler would have seen on approaching the city from the northeast, at a distance of a few miles. This view is to be distinguished from Merian’s more common, earlier view that gives a more narrowly focused view of the city, as seen from the north. The legend below keys 44 locations to the view, including the Bastille and Notre Dame.

Uncoloured as issued ..Good strong impression ..No repairs stains etc

Very good condition.

REF Les Plans de Paris J. Boutier BnF 88 Page 151

code : M4142

Cartographer : MERIAN Matthaus MERIAN

Date : 1655 Frankfurt

Size : 27*80 cms

availability : Available

Price : £495

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Matthäus Merian der Ältere (or "Matthew", "the Elder", or "Sr."; 22 September 1593 - 19 June 1650) was a Swiss-born engraver who worked in Frankfurt for most of his career, where he also ran a publishing house.

Born in Basel, Merian learned the art of copperplate engraving in Zürich. He next worked and studied in Strasbourg, Nancy, and Paris, before returning to Basel in 1615. The following year he moved to Frankfurt, Germany where he worked for the publisher Johann Theodor de Bry, who was the son of renowned engraver and traveler Theodor de Bry.

In 1623 Merian took over the publishing house of his father-in-law after de Bry's death. In 1626 he became a citizen of Frankfurt and could henceforth work as an independent publisher. He spent most of his working life in Frankfurt.

He produced the 21-volume set was collectively known as the Topographia Germaniae. It includes numerous town plans and views, as well as maps of most countries and a World Map-it was such a popular work that it was re-issued in many editions. He also took over and completed the later parts and editions of the Grand Voyages and Petits Voyages, originally started by de Bry in 1590.

After his death, his sons Matthäus Jr. and Caspar took over the publishing house. They continued publishing the Topographia Germaniae and the Theatrum Europaeum under the name Merian Erben (i.e. Merian Heirs).