1947 Hebrard Pictorial Map of Peru

A rare and mysterious 1947 map of Peru by the artist Pierre Hébrard. Stylistically playing on maps of the Dutch Golden Age, it also employs etching and bright, brilliant colors to represent the lushness of the Peruvian interior.

A Closer Look

The map represents Peru in the mid-late 16th century, after the conquests of Pizarro and the establishment of fortified towns by various conquistadores. Cities and towns (or, perhaps more accurately, Catholic parishes) are labelled throughout, with Cusco near center, and Lima along the coast at left-center. Some of the places indicated either no longer exist or have been renamed, while others now use modern Spanish spellings that differ slightly (for example, Trugillo here is now Trujillo). Elsewhere, the map anachronistically inserts modern placenames, as with Ayacucho (rather than its 16th century name, Huamanga).

The text at bottom, within the vignette illustration, reads 'adaptation des anciennes cartes français du Pérou dessinée et gravée par Pierre Hébrard.' It is unclear to which maps specifically Hébrard is referring. The flourishes on the map, such as the ships, sea monsters, and cartes-à-figures, are all reminiscent of works of the Dutch 'Golden Age'.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn and engraved (etched) by Pierre Hébrard in Paris in 1947. It appears to be an etching, perhaps with some elements (such as the coastal waves) engraved, a curious choice that reflects the creator's inclination towards aesthetic quality over ease of production. No additional information about the map's artist or publication is available. A note in pencil at bottom suggests the map was produced in a limited run of 350, of which the present example was number 37; a signature nearby may have been the original owner. There are no other known examples of this map in institutional collections or on the market.