Johann Baptist Homann (1664–1724). Prospect...Paris.1720

Johann Baptist Homann (1664–1724)
Prospect und Grundriss der Weltberühmten Königlichen Haupt- und Residentz-Stadt Paris
From Atlas Novus, Nuremberg, circa 1720
Hand-colored copperplate engraving
Sheet size: 22 ½ x 19 inches

A vibrant and detailed 18th-century map of Paris, presented with both a bird’s-eye plan and a sweeping panoramic prospect, by the celebrated German cartographer Johann Baptist Homann. This dual-view composition offers not only geographic clarity but also a romanticized vision of the French capital at the height of its grandeur.

The upper half of the sheet features a finely engraved street plan of Paris, color-coded by quartier, with key landmarks—churches, palaces, and institutions—carefully depicted in red and identified in the legend at left. The Seine River divides the Right and Left Banks, and prominent urban features such as the Louvre, the Sorbonne, and the Tuileries Gardens are readily identifiable.

Beneath the map lies a richly colored panoramic view of the city, showcasing its skyline with remarkable depth and architectural fidelity. This prospect, taken from the southwest, captures the majesty of Paris nestled in its rural surroundings, highlighting its density, defensive walls, and civic pride.

Homann’s work stands out for its artistic elegance and cartographic precision, combining Baroque aesthetics with Enlightenment-era curiosity. As one of the premier publishers of maps in the German-speaking world, Homann played a key role in popularizing detailed urban plans of Europe’s major cities.

An exceptional example of early 18th-century urban cartography, this map is both a collector’s gem and a compelling document of pre-Revolutionary Paris.