Sanson & Jaillot. L'Amerique Meridionale Divisee en ses Principales Parties Scavior La Terre Ferme, Le Perou, Le Chili, Le Bresil... Paris, 1691.

Sanson, Nicolas and Hubert Jaillot

L'Amerique Meridionale Divisee en ses Principales Parties Scavior La Terre Ferme, Le Perou, Le Chili, Le Bresil...

Paris, 1691

24 3/4" x 26"

Nicolas Sanson and Hubert Jaillot
L'Amerique Meridionale Divisee en ses Principales Parties Scavoir La Terre Ferme, Le Perou, Le Chili, Le Bresil...
Paris, 1691
24 3/4" x 26"

This striking 17th-century map of South America, created by Nicolas Sanson and later revised and published by Hubert Jaillot, represents a significant milestone in the cartographic history of the continent. As one of the most influential French cartographers of the period, Sanson laid the groundwork for geographical accuracy in mapmaking, while Jaillot, working in collaboration with Sanson’s heirs, re-engraved and reissued Sanson’s original works on a grander scale, reflecting the flourishing French map trade of the late 17th century.

The map meticulously divides South America into its major regions, including Terre Ferme (the Spanish Main), Perou (Peru), Chili (Chile), and Bresil (Brazil), showcasing European knowledge of the continent at the time. The rich ornamentation, including elaborate cartouches and decorative embellishments, reflects the artistic standards of French mapmaking during the golden age of cartography. This work not only served as an important reference for explorers, scholars, and European powers but also highlighted territorial ambitions in the New World during a period of intense colonial expansion.

Jaillot’s refined engraving, combined with Sanson’s foundational geographic insights, underscores the map's dual significance as both a scientific and artistic achievement. It remains a valuable example of the marriage between early scientific exploration and the artistry of mapmaking, offering a glimpse into Europe’s evolving understanding of South America in the late 1600s.