Antique Map of the Holy Land by Homann (1707)

Description: Antique map titled 'Iudaea seu Palaestina ob saeratissima Redemtoris vestigia hodie dicta Terra Sancta (..)'. Decorative map of the Holy Land. As noted in the subtitle, Homann based this map of the Holy Land on the cartography of Guillaume Sanson, presenting the region divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, and covering from Sidon to Sirbonis Lake in the Egyptian desert. Kishon River is shown as connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Sea of Galilea. The dramatic title cartouche features Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and inset in the opposite corner is a map showing the Exodus and Wandering surrounded by a finely engraved scene including Moses, Aaron, and the two spies of Moses bearing a huge bunch of grapes.

Artists and Engravers: Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724) was a mapmaker who founded the famous Homann Heirs publishing company. He lived his entire life in Bavaria, particularly in Nuremberg. Initially, Johann trained to become a priest before converting to Protestantism and working as a notary.