Decorative Map of Meuse Department, France – Vuillemin, c. 1850
A beautifully engraved 19th-century map of the Meuse department in northeastern France, drawn by Alexandre Vuillemin and embellished with fine steel-engraved vignettes. Originally published in Paris circa 1850, this map forms part of the richly illustrated series La France, which combined geographic accuracy with romanticized depictions of regional culture and history.
The map outlines the departmental boundaries in yellow with neighboring departments faintly shaded, and features detailed topographical information, towns, villages, rivers, and road networks. Colored lines trace the principal arrondissement divisions. The cartography is surrounded by a variety of finely engraved scenes. At top right is a charming rural view of the town of Verdun nestled in the hills, identified in the image as "Vue de Verdun." In the bottom right corner, a striking portrait of Marshal Nicolas-Charles Oudinot is shown in uniform with folded arms, holding a rolled map. Oudinot (1767–1847), born in Bar-le-Duc (located in Meuse), was a Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon and later became the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour. His military legacy adds historical weight to the depiction of this department.
Also included are decorative rural elements like a peasant figure reclining near a poplar tree and a coat of arms showing the symbols of the region. The map was engraved by Laguillermie and printed by the Parisian firm Lemercier, with illustrations by Vistois.
50 Key Locations Noted on Map: Bar-le-Duc – historic capital Verdun – WWI fortress city Commercy – origin of madeleines Saint-Mihiel – Benedictine abbey town Montmédy – fortified citadel Ligny-en-Barrois – spa town Revigny-sur-Ornain – river crossing Étain – industrial heritage Vaucouleurs – Jeanne d’Arc location Clermont-en-Argonne – forested commune Gondrecourt – military training zone Stenay – beer museum Souilly – WWI HQ location Dieue-sur-Meuse – river village Troyon – known for ceramics Vigneulles-lès-Hattonchâtel – butte-top town Damvillers – near Verdun front Pierrefitte-sur-Aire – Aire valley Ligny – southern Meuse town Sorcy-Saint-Martin – iron mining past Sampigny – historic château Saint-Aubin-sur-Aire – scenic valley Charny-sur-Meuse – strategic bridgehead Brabant-le-Roi – village near Marne Vaubecourt – agricultural community Fains-Véel – near Bar-le-Duc Naives-Rosières – rural commune Lisle-en-Barrois – woodlands Seuil-d’Argonne – hunting forests Tronville-en-Barrois – canal junction Rembercourt – WWI logistics Belrain – highland commune Raival – pastoral area Beurey-sur-Saulx – river crossing Gercourt – battle site Marre – west of Verdun Vacherauville – Meuse village Senoncourt – plateau village Érize-la-Petite – Barrois hills Lavallée – isolated rural commune Levoncourt – near Luxembourg Beaulieu-en-Argonne – panoramic ridge Rupt-en-Woëvre – in the Woëvre plain Brieulles-sur-Meuse – Meuse-side town Lérouville – quarrying Pagny-sur-Meuse – transport hub Heippes – old Roman road Villers-sur-Meuse – canals Loison – iron region Benoîtville – scattered farms
Condition report Very good condition overall. Strong imprint with delicate hand-coloring of boundaries. Some minor toning and faint foxing to outer margins, typical for the period. No tears or major defects.
Framing tips This map displays beautifully in a classic wooden frame with a light ivory mat or pale yellow inner border to match the department outline. Consider a double mat for added depth, especially with antique walnut or black-and-gold frames to accent the engravings.
Technique: Steel engraving with original hand color Maker: Alexandre Vuillemin, Paris, circa 1850
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