CORONELLI, V. M. Bocche del Fiume Negro et...

CORONELLI, V. M. Bocche del Fiume Negro et Isole di Capo Verde. ... Venice, 1696. Black and white. Fine impression on strong paper. 450 x 605 mm Beautiful map of the northwest coast of Africa and the Cape Verde Islands. It details the various Portuguese discoveries in the region in the late 15th century. The Portuguese maintained a commercial monopoly in Africa until the mid-16th century, when it was challenged by other European powers. At the top, in a crown-shaped cartouche, is a plan of the island of Gorée, West Africa's first and most important slave depot for most of the 17th century. At the bottom, a large title cartouche adorned with putti and coats of arms. Vincenzo Coronelli (1650-1718), a Franciscan friar, was appointed General of the Order in 1701. He was cosmographer to the Republic of Venice and founder of the Academia Cosmografica degli Argonauti, the world's first geographical society (1680). He was also one of the most eminent European cartographers and editors of his time. Expert: Béatrice Loeb-Larocque