GraceGalleries.com
Title
Grace Galleries, Old Maps and Sea Charts, Harpswell Maine
Description
Brief History of Antique Maps
Besides their historical and scientific interest many 16th, 17th and 18th century maps can be classified as works of fine, artistic significance. They were designed not only to instruct but also to attract purchasers, and the designs of the maps reflected the artistic expression of the times in which they were created.
Starting in the late 16th century it became the fashion to encase the title of the map or mileage scale in a decorative cartouche. A cartouche is an ornamental frame and the earliest of these were drawn in a Strapwork design, a term applied to carved wooden arabesques & rinceau designs which looked like patterns cut from sheets of leather.
As the years passed, styles changed and Baroque became fashionable; originating in Italy in the late 16th century which incorporated heavy detail and bold sweeping curves. Baroque was superceded in the early 1700 ’ s by the Rococco movement which swept Europe, after evolving in Paris, and was characterized by delicate lines, curves and scroll motifs intertwined with flowers and foliage. The name Rococco is derived from the French ‘ rocaille ’ and ‘ coquille ’ (rock and shell) both incorporated in this style of decoration.
