Accurater Grundris der Königl. Spanischen Haupt und Residentzstadt Madrit mit denen prospecten des königl. Schlosses und andern Luft Gebaeuden….

Title

Accurater Grundris der Königl. Spanischen Haupt und Residentzstadt Madrit mit denen prospecten des königl. Schlosses und andern Luft Gebaeuden….

Description

Magnificent city map of Madrid with five partial views such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Great Bullfight, the Buen Retiro Palace and Park, the Palace of Aranjuez, St Antonio's Hermitage and a mileage cartouche.

ca. 1730

Artist

Homann (1664-1724)

Johann Babtiste Homann (1664-1724), Nuremberg, was born in Oberkammlach, 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. He was succeeded by the Homann heirs company, which was in business until 1848. The company was known as Homann Erben, Homanniani Heredes, or Heritiers de Homann abroad.

Historical Description

The first evidence for the name Madrid comes from Arabic sources. As Arabic etymon the word -madschra- is taken as a basis, which can mean channel, water conduit or river bed. The Latin etymon is assumed to be -matricem-, which is translated here as 'source (of a stream)'. After 854, under the emir Muhammad (852 to 886), a Moorish castle (alcázar) was built on the site of today's Madrid Royal Palace. In 1561, Philip II moved the royal court from Valladolid to Madrid, beginning the city's rise. The part of Madrid built under the Spanish Habsburgs is still called "El Madrid de los Austrias" (The Madrid of the Habsburgs). In 1701, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out, leading to the Anglo-Portuguese occupation of the city in 1706. It ended in 1714 when the Bourbons took over the Spanish throne. Under their rule, the present Royal Palace was built. From 1808 to 1813, Madrid was occupied by the French, with Napoleon's brother Joseph Bonaparte appointed king. The occupiers had monasteries and entire neighborhoods razed to make new space. From 1833 to 1876, the three Carlist Wars were fought. During this time, a cholera epidemic also ravaged Madrid. In 1873 the first republic was proclaimed by the liberal politician and writer Emilio Castelar.