1696 Coronelli Map of the Great Lakes
by Paul Fearn
Title
1696 Coronelli Map of the Great Lakes
Artist
Paul Fearn
Medium
Photograph
Description
This exceedingly rare 1694 map by Vincenzo Coronelli is the most important depiction of the Great Lakes and the headwaters of the Mississippi River to appear in the late 17th century. Covers all five Great Lakes and extends westward as far as the Mississippi River valley. This map is a careful study of the Great Lakes Region and reveals Coronelli’s fascination with this area. Coronelli derived his cartographic information from the reports of Jesuit Missionaries who were actively proselytizing in this region throughout the mid to late 18th century. These included the explorations of La Salle, Hennepin, Marquette and Jolliet, among others. Dotted with forts, Indian villages, and missionary stations. Shows the R. De Chekagou roughly where Chicago is today. Shows the Ottawa River route into Georgian Bay anda well developed mapping of Green Bay. This is also the most accurate early mapping of Lake Superior, in which both Keweenaw Peninsula (P. Kioanan) and Isle Royale (I. Miniong) are located. Features none of the mythical islands that appear in the Bellin map which appeared 100 years later. Decorated with numerous wonderful vignettes depicting the lives of American Indians. One in particular, a crocodile eating a man, is interesting and incongruous. This map is essentially an elaboration upon the 1688 Nolin/Coronelli map, Partie Occidentale du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France…” It was prepared for inclusion in the second edition of Coronelli's important 1695 Atlante Veneto .
Uploaded
July 12th, 2013
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