Lower Silesians and Their Labour in the 18th Century on the Maps from the “Atlas of Silesia”
The exhibition presents a selection of maps from the atlas and includes 10 duchies located in Lower Silesia.
By Ossoliński National Institute
dr Mariusz Dworsatschek (Cartography Department of the Ossoliński National Institute)
Principatus Silesiae Wolani ... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
Atlas of Silesia – an 18th century monument of cartography
Atlas of Silesia was printed in 1752, that is 270 years ago. The book, published in Nuremberg by the printing house run by Homann’s heirs, is undoubtedly an outstanding achievement of 18th century cartography. The publication contains 20 maps depicting Silesia as it was at the time.
Principatus Silesiae Wratislaviensis exactissima Tabula Geographica ... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
These include maps of the entire region by Tobias Meyer, of Lower and Upper Silesia by Johann Matthias Haas, the diocese of Wrocław by Johann Ignaz Felbiger and 16 maps of Silesian duchies.
Principatus Silesiae Bregensis exactissima Tabula Geographica (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
Cartographic maps of the duchies are particularly noteworthy. Drawn up at the behest of the Habsburg Emperor Charles VI by Johann Wolfgang Wieland between 1722 and 1733, they were further supplemented and corrected by Matthäus Schubarth from 1736 onwards.
Principatus Silesiae Wratislaviensis exactissima Tabula Geographica ... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
The maps of the duchies were so good that after the Prussian occupation of Silesia King Frederick the Great of Prussia long hindered the maps from going into general circulation, acknowledging their high military usability.
Principatus Silesiae Schwidnicensis Secundum ... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
The value of Wieland’s and Schubarth’s work is evident in almost all aspects. These large-scale maps are admirable for their richness and high level of detail. The accuracy of the maps is very good, too, and involves faithfully rendered distances.
Economy in Lower Silesia in the 18th century depicted on the maps
The map users are captivated by the wealth of information about the depicted area, showing elements typically included in most old cartographic studies: towns, rivers, lakes, ponds and landforms.
Principatus Silesiae Grotkani exactissima Tabula geographica... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
Map of the Duchy of Grodków
Map of the Duchy of Grodków with beautifully depicted landforms.
Principatus Silesiae Saganensis in suos circulos Sagan, Priebus et Naumburg divisi (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
Different categories of cities, towns and villages were introduced, depending on their size or owners. The forest areas and the course of the rivers are also depicted as in real life.
Principatvs Silesiae Lignicensis in suos Circulos Goldbergensem, Haynavviensem et Lubenensem divisi (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
Map of the Duchy of Legnica
The atlas incorporates details generally omitted from other maps at the time. These include roads showing transport routes across the region.
The maps are also marked with numerous signs illustrating economic landmarks in the presented territories: iron, copper and silver mines, metalworks, glassworks, water mills, windmills, brickyards, tanneries, linen bleaching mills, sawmills, paper mills etc.
Principatus Silesiae Schwidnicensis Secundum ... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
Decorations on the maps
A story about the everyday life of Lower Silesia people in the 18th century.
The exceptional aesthetic of the maps make the atlas unique
not only due to its visual attractiveness – characteristic also for other publication from this time – but above all because of its informational value related to everyday life.
Map cartouches
In addition to symbolic and allegorical representations, the cartouches feature figures, items and genre scenes, providing an invaluable source of information on the material culture and economy of the region in the first half of the 18th century.
The people depicted include realistically portrayed figures of farmers, craftsmen, merchants and hunters....
... at other times the artist opted for personifications, in which male or female figures embody the abundance of goods and wealth of the duchy or a river important for social and economic life.
Principatus Silesiae Glogoviensis novissima Tabula Geographica... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
The illustrations in the cartouches show the people’s jobs (farming, hunting, animal husbandry, etc.). The specific scenes are usually adequately selected to present occupations typical of the territory shown.
A cartouche on the map of the Duchy of Wohlau depicting trade in... oxen.
Principatus Silesiae Oelsnensis in suos districtus Oels Bernstadt et Trebnitz ... (1736-1752) by Johann Wolfgang WielandOssoliński National Institute
The Duchy of Oleśnica
The illustrations on the map of the Duchy of Oels are especially noteworthy, as they relate to both regular, repetitive occupations followed by the inhabitants in the region, and a specific historical event....
... that is early archaeological discoveries in the village of Masłów (German: Massel) in the early 18th century. The local pastor Leonhard David Hermann described the findings in his work “Maslographia”, published in 1711.
Interested in Natural history?
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