Along with Johann Baptist Homann, Matthias Seutter was one of the greatest and most influential German cartographers of the 18th century. Originally apprenticed as a brewer, Seutter left that profession and joined Homann's firm as an apprentice engraver. In the early 18th century, he moved to Augsburg and established his own business. Although he struggled initially, his expertise in engraving, his use of bright colour and the elaborate, baroque aesthetics of his maps ensured his long term success. So much so, that in 1732, he emulated his master and gained the title of Imperial Geographer from the Emperor Charles VI.



This is Seutter's world map, included in both of his great atlases, the "Atlas Novus" and the "Grosser Atlas". Geographically, it closely resembles Homann's double hemisphere world map first issued in 1709. It copied several features, including the extremely misshapen Australian continent, the concept of California as an island, the peculiar concept of joining the northern Japanese island of Yesso to the main island and a mysterious land mass north of California entitled "Terra Essonis". Unlike Homann, who updated his map substantially after 1715, Seutter's map remained fundamentally the same throughout his publishing career.



The aesthetic design and layout of the map is quite a radical departure from Seutter's usual maps. Rather than add elaborate baroque designs as he does with many other examples of his works, Seutter decided to emphasize the scientific aspect of geography, relying on the model first published by Carolus Allard on his double hemisphere map of 1696. He added twelve spheres around the two main hemispheres, focusing on scientific concepts such as views of the world from the North and South Pole, specific maps of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the concept of the horizon. All of these spheres are superimposed on a dramatic background of clouds and wind heads.



Although the colouring and the engraving are characteristically bright and flamboyant, with its emphasis on the scientific aspect of geography, this is very much an atypical example of Seutter's work and should be regarded as an oddity within the body of his work.

[WLD4097]