1803 Mayer Large Antique Print of a Woman & Child of Karaman, Turkey

Cartographer :Luigi Mayer

Description: 

This large fine beautifully coloured original early antique aquatint of a woman and children of the ancient southern Turkish region of Caramania (Karaman) was engraved in 1803 - the date is engraved at the foot of the image - and was published in Luigi Mayer's "Views in Egypt, Palestine and Other Parts of the Ottoman Empire" R Bowyer, Historic Gallery Pall Mall.

This engraving is characteristic of those made during Regency period, a time of exploration of the Middle East spurred by Napoleon's explorations and conquests in Egypt. Often these expeditions were published as books, containing descriptions and illustrations of the ancient architecture, customs and culture of indigenous peoples.

Italian orientalist Luigi Mayer, active in the 18th and begin 19th century travelled extensively in the middle east. His work "Views in Egypt, Palestine and Other Parts of the Ottoman Empire" was published between 1801 and 1804 with historical observations, and incidental illustrations of the manners and customs of the natives of that country. During Mayer’s time, while Britain and France were vying for control of colonial territories, Views in Egypt captivated and informed audiences in Europe about the country’s prevailing culture and even political structures. "Mamalukes exercising in the Square of Muurad Bey’s Palace," for instance, provides a valuable visual record of the military elite’s training exercises, and perhaps a hint of the Ottoman ruler’s efforts to impose centralized authority. Such highly descriptive drawings continue to make the volume an invaluable primary source.

The aquatint engraver, Thomas Milton studied under William Woollett, and was extolled by scholar W. Bell Scott as having "a unique power of distinguishing the foliage of trees and the texture of bodies, especially water, as it never had been done before, and never will be done again." (Ref: Abbey, Travel, 369. Blackmer 1097. Colas 2018-2022. Gay 2145. Hiler, pp. 577-8. HBS 15571)

General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Haevy and stable
Paper color: - off white
Age of map color: - Early
Colors used: - Yellow, green, pink, orange
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 18 1/2 in x 13in (460mm x 330mm)
Plate size: -  15 in x 12in (380mm x 305mm)
Margins: - Min 1in (25mm)  

Imperfections:
Margins: None
Plate area: None
Verso: None

$125.00