Ducatus Stiriae novissima tabula

Title

Ducatus Stiriae novissima tabula

Description

Splendid map showing Styria with a city map of Graz, a title curtain with angels and a cartouche with the mining of iron ore at the Erzberg. Furthermore a cartouche with putti at the grape harvest (allegory of autumn) with mileage indicator and an index.

ca. 1710

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

Styria is one of the nine federal states of the Republic of Austria. Its capital is Graz, which followed by Leoben, Kapfenberg, Bruck an der Mur and Feldbach is also by far the largest city in Styria by population. Originally, the area was settled by Celtic people. In the 6th century Slavs from the east settled here. Around the middle of the 8th century they asked the Bavarian Duke Odilo for support in the fight against the Avars. The Bavarians were victorious and from then on lived side by side with the Slavs on the Styrian territory. In 1180, Styria was elevated to a duchy under the Traungau dynasty and the feudal ties to the Duchy of Bavaria and the Duchy of Carinthia were severed. In 1282 the Duchy of Styria, together with the Duchy of Austria, passed to the noble House of Habsburg. In the course of the Habsburg inheritance divisions, Styria became the central part of Inner Austria (with the residence in Graz).