COLLECTION NAME:
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Record
Author:
Hagelgans, Johann Georg
Date:
1718
Short Title:
Sheet Ee
Publisher:
Johann Georg Hagelgans
Publisher Location:
Franfurt
Type:
Timeline
Obj Height cm:
63
Obj Width cm:
37
Subject:
Historical
Subject:
Data Visualization
Full Title:
Sheet Ee
List No:
16130.018
Series No:
18
Publication Author:
Hagelgans, Johann Georg
Pub Date:
1718
Pub Title:
Atlas Historicus oder Allgemeine HIstorische Charten darinnen... (Illustrated Eusebian Historical Table)
Pub Reference:
Anthony Grafton, Daniel Rosenberg: Cartographies of Time: A History of the Timeline, p. 103, illustrated at pages 106-107.
Pub Note:
"The Atlas Historicus by Johann Georg Hagelgans, first published in 1718, stands out as a pioneering work in historical illustration. Unlike traditional historical atlases which focus primarily on maps, Hagelgans’s atlas is an ambitious visual chronicle that employs detailed, narrative illustrations to depict world history from the dawn of civilization to the early 18th century. Hagelgans historical chart is one of the grandest presentations of the art of graphically depicting a chronological chart of history. Hagelgans' Atlas Historicus condenses the work of Roman Historian Eusebius of Caesarea (referred to as the Father of Church History), written in the 4th Century, into a single grand canvas, which includes maps of the World, the Holy Land, Exodus, Greece, Latium (Ancient Rome), the Conquest at Troy, and other important historical events, with a grand allegorical view across the top, extending from Mount Sinai on the left to the area around Eden on the left, with Jonah's whale in the center of the image. In the 15th and 16th Centuries, historical chronologies were typically depicted as text charts. By the end of the 17th Century, chart makers such as Jan Boulaese had managed to condense the work of Eusebius into a single folio sized chart. The present chart expands on the traditional single sheet Eusebian Table by including thousands of tiny soldiers, statesman, and political figures from biblical times to the present. As noted by Grafton & Rosenberg: "Hagelgans's tables were full of surprising visual twists. Chronological grid lines frame perspective images of biblical and historical scenes, and trompe l'oeil openings reveal detailed tableaux hiding beneath the surface of the chart. Despite the huge scale of the work, Hagelgans aimed to be as visually efficient as possible. His Atlas came up with a list of eighty symbols that indicated such details as the ways that kings died and how crowns were acquired. This permitted him to nearly do away with text while preserving and enlivening the old Eusebian matrix." The atlas comprises intricate plates that cover a broad range of historical periods and events: From the Beginning of the World to the Fall of Troy: This section charts ancient history and mythology through a series of meticulously crafted scenes. Destruction of Persian Rule in Asia: The decline of Persian dominance is illustrated with elaborate depictions of key events. Birth of Christ: The advent of Christianity is portrayed with vivid imagery. Division of the Roman Empire: The complex fragmentation of the Roman Empire is presented through detailed visual narratives. Re-establishment of the Western Empire: The restoration of the Western Roman Empire is illustrated with careful attention to historical accuracy. Interregnum: This period of political uncertainty is depicted with engaging scenes. Discovery of the New World: The exploration and subsequent discovery of the Americas are captured in elaborate drawings. 'New History' from the 16th to the Beginning of the 18th Century: The transition from the Renaissance to the early modern period is detailed in this final section. The atlas features four small maps that, while secondary to the main content, include an early representation of the migrations of peoples, known as migraiones gentium. These maps are notable for their depiction of early migrations and are accompanied by the small maps on Plate A, which show the world in two hemispheres, with California portrayed as an island, and various regions such as Greece, Latium, and the eastern Mediterranean. Hagelgans, a native of Lauterbach in Hesse, crafted this atlas during his early career, influenced by his diplomatic work and interactions with Swedish scholars. His work reflects a blend of detailed historical narrative and artistic representation, inspired in part by the Swedish concept of Scandza, the "womb of nations." The atlas’s most distinctive feature is its use of small, detailed illustrations to convey historical events. Each image is accompanied by a key with symbols representing various historical figures and elements, enhancing the visual storytelling and aiding in the memory of historical facts. Despite the intricate layout, Hagelgans provides minimal explanation, leaving much of the interpretation to the reader. Hagelgans's atlas remains a unique artifact of historical visualization, offering an innovative approach to understanding history through images rather than traditional text. It captures the essence of historical events in a format that was both visually captivating and instructive for its time. The work is notable not only for its artistic and historical value but also for its attempt to provide a comprehensive visual summary of historical development." (Ruderman, 2024)
Pub List No:
16130.000
Pub Type:
Timeline
Pub Height cm:
64
Pub Width cm:
30
Image No:
16130018.jp2
Authors:
Hagelgans, Johann Georg
