Japan – Seutter, 1720-1740

“Regni Japoniae Nova Mappa Geographica, ex indigenarum observationibus delineata ab Engelberto Kaempfero”

Decorative map of Japan published by Matthaeus Seutter in Augsburg around 1720-30. The map was engraved by Tobias Conrad Lotter, after the geographical sketches of the travel by Engelbert Kaempfer to Japan. In the upper left corner there is a large figurative and allegoric title cartouche, with scenes relating to the exploration of Japan. The bottom of the map is ornated with Japanese arms relating to the kingdom of Japan. Copper engraving, coloured by a later hand. Plate size approx. 49 x 56,7 cm.

Seutter, an 18th-century cartographer, was born in Augsburg (Germany) in 1678. In 1697 he became an apprentice to the cartographer Johann Baptiste Homann. By 1707 he returned to Augsburg where he established his own business and produced maps (about 500), atlases (since 1728/30) and globes. Seutter’s maps are quite similar to Homann’s, and were famous for their details, colour, and decorative cartouches. After dedicating his large atlas to Karl VI, Seutter was awarded the title of “Kaiserlicher Geograph“. One of his daughters, Euphrosine married the cartographer Tobias Conrad Lotter from Augsburg who, after the death of Seutter’s son, Albrecht Carl, became the successor to Seutter and a famous mapmaker on his own.

Price: SOLD