Londini Angliae Regni Metropolis Delineatio Accuratissima Autore F. De Witt Cum Privilegio thumbnail 1
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Londini Angliae Regni Metropolis Delineatio Accuratissima Autore F. De Witt Cum Privilegio

Print
1689-1702
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This map illustrates how by the dawn of the 18th century London was breaking out of its medieval boundary walls. The Great Fire of London encouraged a grand scheme of re-building and this map emphasises the size of London, naming 148 points of interest, and also it’s prosperity, through trade, boats on the Thames and ship-building. There is only a slight elevation of some buildings, in contrast to earlier plans of London, and this creates more of a surface pattern of streets rather than the sense one is looking upon a definite and personal town. This sense of abstraction or removal from the city created through the use of a plan is combated by a separate panoramic view of London at the bottom. The portraits of the King and Queen included in the map emphasise once again how London is the ruler of England, truly ‘Londini Angliae Regni’ as the title on the map proclaims.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLondini Angliae Regni Metropolis Delineatio Accuratissima Autore F. De Witt Cum Privilegio
Materials and techniques
Brief description
A map of London from the 17th century showing the growth and development of the City. Londini Angliae Regni Metropolis Delineatio Accuratissima. Frederick De Witt, ca. 1689-1702.
Physical description
A map showing a plan of the extent of London from Whitehall to beyond the Tower of London also showing the development of the city south of the river. There is also a contrasting perspectival view of London at the bottom and a portrait of the reigning King William and Queen Mary with garlanded cherubs supporting the coats of arms of the City of London and the Royal Family.
Dimensions
  • Height: 50cm
  • Width: 59.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Londini Angliae Regni Metropolis Delineatio Accuratissima Autore F. De Witt Cum Privilegio
    Transliteration
    London the leading city of England drawn with accuracy by F. de Witt with priviledge
  • Tot Amsterdam by F. de Witt contst en caart verkooper op den dam met privilegie van de e neeren straaten van holland en heftfriesland
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
This map illustrates how by the dawn of the 18th century London was breaking out of its medieval boundary walls. The Great Fire of London encouraged a grand scheme of re-building and this map emphasises the size of London, naming 148 points of interest, and also it’s prosperity, through trade, boats on the Thames and ship-building. There is only a slight elevation of some buildings, in contrast to earlier plans of London, and this creates more of a surface pattern of streets rather than the sense one is looking upon a definite and personal town. This sense of abstraction or removal from the city created through the use of a plan is combated by a separate panoramic view of London at the bottom. The portraits of the King and Queen included in the map emphasise once again how London is the ruler of England, truly ‘Londini Angliae Regni’ as the title on the map proclaims.
Collection
Accession number
24431

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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