Michael Drayton
Devon and Cornwall, 1612
10 x 13 in
25 x 33 cm
25 x 33 cm
CORN600
Copyright The Artist
Drayton's (1563–1631) famous allegorical map of Devon and Cornwall from his 'Poly-Olbion', an epic topographical poetic journey through the folk customs and traditions of early Britain. The region's towns, rivers...
Drayton's (1563–1631) famous allegorical map of Devon and Cornwall from his 'Poly-Olbion', an epic topographical poetic journey through the folk customs and traditions of early Britain.
The region's towns, rivers and forests are represented by allegorical mythical figures, as Drayton connects a description of the landscape together with its more esoteric history, myth and legend.
He does take some geographical liberties: the allegorical mermaids off the coast named as "The Seven Isles" is most likely to the Scilly Isles; just east of these are more mermaids representing the Channel Islands, while west of the Seven Isles is a mermaid representing the French Island of Ushant.
Obviously influenced by John Speed, Drayton includes several ships and sea monsters in the surrounding waters.
In the interior, although the main focus is on the rivers, there are also several major cities names, such as Exeter and Barnstable, Dartmoor and Exmoor are also marked.
This is one of the most recogniseable of all early maps of southwest England. Engraved by William Hole. [CORN600]
The region's towns, rivers and forests are represented by allegorical mythical figures, as Drayton connects a description of the landscape together with its more esoteric history, myth and legend.
He does take some geographical liberties: the allegorical mermaids off the coast named as "The Seven Isles" is most likely to the Scilly Isles; just east of these are more mermaids representing the Channel Islands, while west of the Seven Isles is a mermaid representing the French Island of Ushant.
Obviously influenced by John Speed, Drayton includes several ships and sea monsters in the surrounding waters.
In the interior, although the main focus is on the rivers, there are also several major cities names, such as Exeter and Barnstable, Dartmoor and Exmoor are also marked.
This is one of the most recogniseable of all early maps of southwest England. Engraved by William Hole. [CORN600]
