The Empire of China (L’Empire de la Chine) [French] Year: 1748 Call Number: MAP-1748-02 This map is a typical example of 18th-century European cartography, reflecting the West’s geographical understanding and trade ambitions towards China during the Age of Enlightenment. Since the arrival of Jesuit missionaries, such as Matteo Ricci, in China in the 16th century, they have brought back information on Chinese history and geography to Europe through field surveys and document research, thereby changing the West’s view of East Asia’s geographic space. Cartographer Jacques Nicolas Bellin was one of the most important cartographers and hydrographers in France in the 18th century. He was known for his scientific rigor, craftsmanship, and systematic organization of geographical knowledge, which had a profound impact on the development of European cartography and hydrology. The map combines France and Europe’s latest understanding of China, marking political and trade hub cities and coastal ports such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, and Xiamen, reflecting the routes of silk, porcelain, and tea transported to Europe by sea and land. The 18th century was the heyday of Sino-European trade. This map is not only a carrier of geographical knowledge, but also an important commercial and military strategic tool for European maritime countries to understand the East. It witnesses the intersection and influence of material and culture between the East and the West in the early days of globalization. 63 10
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzM0NzM2