Detailed black and white engraving of a map held by angels and presented by two men in Eastern and Western attire, framed by columns and featuring religious symbolism.
angelmapcolumnmancloudsymbolbuildingfootweartextmapangelschinaeuropereligioncartographyengravinghistorical illustrationallegory17th century18th century

This is a detailed black and white engraving, likely from the 17th or 18th century, depicting a complex allegorical scene. **Central Focus:** A large, ornate shield-shaped map dominates the center. It depicts a stylized world map, with regions labeled in Latin (e.g., “Tartaria,” “China,” “India,” “Oceanus Orientalis”). The map is held by two cherubic angels who are descending from the clouds. **Figures:** Flanking the map are two men. On the left is a man dressed in traditional Chinese attire, complete with a long robe and a distinctive hat. On the right is a man in European attire, wearing a hat and a long coat. Both men appear to be presenting or guarding the map. **Architectural Elements:** The scene is framed by two large, ornate columns, suggesting a classical or baroque architectural setting. These columns add to the grandeur and formality of the image. **Symbolism:** Above the map and angels is the symbol “IHS,” a monogram of Jesus Christ, indicating a religious context. Clouds surround the upper portion of the image, adding to the heavenly or divine atmosphere. **Text:** Below the map, there is a curved banner with text in Latin, likely the names of the cartographer and publisher. Additional text is present at the very bottom of the image, possibly indicating the date or place of publication. **Overall Impression:** The engraving is highly detailed and intricate, with a strong emphasis on symbolism and allegory. It likely served as a frontispiece or illustration for a book on geography, cartography, or religious missions. The combination of Eastern and Western figures suggests a focus on global exploration and the spread of Christianity.


License: CC0