1690 America Meridionale

By: Vincenzo Coronelli Date: 1690 (circa) Venice Dimensions: 23.5 x 35.5 inches (60 cm x 90.2 cm) This is a splendid old color example of Coronelli’s famous two-sheet map of South America, done in a specific, grand style consistent with his famous globes. The map is a landmark work in the cartographic history of South America and stand-out example of 17th century map makers blending knowledge and imagination to offer a most fantastic and captivating map.  The map offers a well charted outline of South America with each port and bay identified. The interior is filled with topographic detail including an early depiction and reference to the Andes mountains, an accurate location of Lake Titicaca, and a myriad of river systems. In the northern portion of the continent we find for one of the first times the fable Lake Parime and golden city of El Dorado depicted with speculation as its borders are not defined by shaded. The Amazon kingdom and El Dorado were the last vestiges of the medieval