The Palatinate of Rhene/ Palatinatus Rheni

Title

The Palatinate of Rhene/ Palatinatus Rheni

Description

Map shows the course of the Rhine from Bacharach via Worms (Rhineland-Palatinate), Rastatt to Baden-Baden (Baden-Württemberg) and a title cartouche.

ca. 1620

Artist

Hondius/Sparke (1563-1612)

Jodocus Hondius (1563 –1612) was a Dutch engraver, and cartographer. He is best known for his early maps of the New World and Europe, for re-establishing the reputation of the work of Gerard Mercator, and for his portraits of Francis Drake. He helped establish Amsterdam as the center of cartography in Europe in the 17th century. He was born in Wakken and grew up in Ghent. In his early years he established himself as an engraver, instrument maker and globe maker. In 1584 he moved to London to escape religious difficulties in Flanders. While in England, Hondius was instrumental in publicizing the work of Francis Drake, who had made a circumnavigation of the world in the late 1570s. In particular, in 1589 Hondius produced a now famous map of the bay of New Albion, where Drake briefly established a settlement on the west coast of North America. Hondius' map was based on journal and eyewitness accounts of the trip and has long fueled speculation about the precise location of Drake's landing, which has not yet been firmly established by historians. Hondius is also thought to be the artist of several well-known portraits of Drake that are now in the National Portrait Gallery in London. In 1593 he moved to Amsterdam, where he remained until the end of his life. In co-operation with the Amsterdam publisher Cornelis Claesz. in 1604 he purchased the plates of Gerard Mercator's Atlas from Mercator's grandson. Mercator's work had languished in comparison to the rival Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by Ortelius. Hondius republished Mercator's work with 36 additional maps, including several which he himself had produced. Despite the addition of his own contributions, Hondius gave Mercator full credit as the author of the work, listing himself as the publisher. Hondius' new edition of Mercator's work was a great success, selling out after a year. Hondius later published a second edition, as well as a pocket version Atlas Minor. The maps have since become known as the ""Mercator/Hondius series"" . In the French edition of the Atlas Minor we find one of the first instances of a thematic map using map symbols. This is a map entitled Designatio orbis christiani (1607) showing the dispersion of major religions. Between 1605 and 1610 he was employed by John Speed to engrave the plates for Speed's The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. Hondius died, aged 48, in Amsterdam. After his death, his publishing work in Amsterdam was continued by his widow, two sons, Jodocus II and Henricus, and son-in-law Johannes Janssonius, whose name appears on the Atlas as co-publisher after 1633. Eventually, starting with the first 1606 edition in Latin, about 50 editions of the Atlas were released in the main European languages. In the Islamic world, the atlas was partially translated by the Turkish scholar Katip Çelebi. The series is sometimes called the ""Mercator/Hondius/Janssonius"" series because of Janssonius's later contributions.

Historical Description

The Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe and has played a significant role in the history and development of the region. It connects several countries, including Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. In ancient Europe, the Rhine was an important border, separating the Roman Empire from the Germanic tribes to the north. The Romans used the Rhine as a trade and transport route and built several fortresses along the river to secure their border, including the well-known Limes (border fortifications). The Rhine played a central role in the spread of Roman culture and civilization in the areas along the river. In the Middle Ages, the Rhine was not only an important trade route but also a strategic political point. Cities like Cologne, Mainz, and Speyer along the Rhine developed into important commercial centers. The river was a central part of the Holy Roman Empire and played a key role in the political power dynamics of the region. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Rhine underwent profound changes. During the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, the Rhineland came under French control, and after Napoleon's downfall, it was controlled by Prussia and other German states, becoming an important part of the newly formed German Confederation. In the 19th century, the Rhine experienced significant economic transformation. With the expansion of the railway network and industrialization, the river became an important trade route for raw materials such as coal and iron. Cities like Düsseldorf, Leverkusen, and Mannheim experienced enormous growth and became industrial centers that directly benefited from access to the Rhine. Thus, the course of the Rhine has not only geographical significance but also a profound political, cultural, and economic impact that spans thousands of years. It has shaped both conflict and cooperation and remains a key resource for the countries through which it flows.