Matthäus Merian; 1593 - 1650.
Matthäus Merian (son); 1621 - 1687.
Born in Basel, studying in France, and moving to Frankfurt,
this copper plate engraver teamed up with the most famous
publisher Johann Theodore de Bry (whose daughter he married).
Around 1644, together with his son, he collaborated with Martin
Zeiler (a well known austrian cartographer, 1589 - 1661) and
started to produce "Topographia", eventually a 21 volume massive
work replete with maps, plans and bird eye views of cities
and towns, portraits of key historic figures, landscapes and
landmarks engravings.
Of note his continuation of the publication of "Grands voyages'
and "Petits voyages" originally issued by Theodore de Bry
father.
"Angers".
This large (19 ¾" X 15 ½") town plan was originally drawn
in 1638, its title is printed on the verso.
The present item was printed in 1655 for the "Topographia
Galliae".
The four volume treaty (text seems to have been written entirely
by Zeiler, while Merian engraved its 300 maps and plans) was
produced to glorify the power of Louis XIV (see the capital
L in the central coat of arms under the shields of France
and of Navarre of which he was both king).
The other coats of arms:
- left; the arms of the town of Angers " D'une clé d'argent
posée en pal sur le champ de gueules, le chef d'azur chargé
de deux fleurs de lys or ".
- right ; the arms of the de Boilleve family " d'azur à trois
sautoirs alaisés d'or ". See in the cartouche the reference
to the mayor of the town: the noble (René) d.Boylesve (sieur)
de Goismard.
Notice intra muros on the right bank the Ronceray convent
(now an engineering school), and on the left bank the St Maurice
cathedral and the imposing fortress (château du roi René)
now a medieval tapestry museum.
Outside the east walls, the ovals show the remnants of the
roman arena.
No text on verso safe for the title 'Angers'.
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