CARTE OÙ SONT TRACÉES LES ROUTES DE M BRUCE DANS LES DEUX TENTATIVES QU’IL FIT POUR PARVENIR AUX SOURCES DU NIL

Engraver: Robert Bénard
Publisher: Hôtel de Thou
Price: £125 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1790-92
Edition: Early edition
Format: Copper engraving
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 39.4cm x 59.8cm

Condition:

Original fold lines. Age toning and minor foxing to the paper and creasing. Short closed tears to the wide margins, not affecting the plate. In very good condition overall.

Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder M2000 002574

Robert Bénard’s “Carte où sont tracées les routes de M. Bruce dans les deux tentatives qu’il fit pour parvenir aux sources du Nil” is a meticulously engraved map that visually documents James Bruce’s exploratory journeys to identify the source of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia during the 18th century. Produced with the precision and artistic finesse characteristic of Bénard’s work, the map stands as both a scientific resource and a historical artefact of Enlightenment-era exploration.

Purpose and Context

This map was designed to illustrate Bruce’s two major expeditions undertaken between 1768 and 1773, showcasing the routes he followed to reach Lake Tana, widely considered the source of the Blue Nile. At a time when European interest in Africa’s geography was growing, the map served to disseminate Bruce’s findings and provide a clearer understanding of Ethiopia’s geography.

Key Features

1. Route Tracing:
   • The map meticulously traces the paths James Bruce took from the Red Sea coast into the Ethiopian highlands and ultimately to Lake Tana.
   • Stops along the journey, including major towns, rivers, and landmarks, are carefully marked, offering a step-by-step visual account of his expedition.
2. Geographical Details:
   • The map highlights significant geographical features such as the Nile’s tributaries, rugged mountain ranges, and Lake Tana itself, reflecting Bruce’s detailed observations of the terrain.
   • Rivers and other water systems are emphasised to underline the focus on the Nile’s source.
3. Annotations and Notes:
   • Annotations on the map provide insights into the challenges Bruce encountered and his observations of the region’s natural features.
   • The inclusion of cultural and environmental details reflects the Enlightenment interest in both scientific and ethnographic studies.
4. Engraving Style:
   • True to Robert Bénard’s artistic style, the map combines scientific precision with aesthetic elements. Decorative cartouches and finely detailed engravings add a sense of elegance while ensuring clarity.
   • The map demonstrates Bénard’s ability to transform geographical data into a visually compelling representation.
5. Scale and Orientation:
   • The map is designed with a focus on clarity, using a scale that allows for the inclusion of both detailed routes and broader regional context.
   • Its orientation is typical of 18th-century cartography, optimised for the audience of the time.

Historical Significance

The map is a testament to the era’s dedication to exploration and knowledge. It reflects the broader European fascination with the Nile, one of the world’s most iconic rivers, and the determination to document its source accurately. While Bruce’s claims initially faced scepticism, the map helped solidify the credibility of his discoveries by offering a detailed visual account of his journeys.

Furthermore, Bénard’s engraving of Bruce’s travels represents the collaboration between explorers and cartographers during the Enlightenment. It bridges the gap between field exploration and the dissemination of knowledge through print, ensuring Bruce’s contributions were accessible to a wide audience.

Legacy

Robert Bénard’s map remains an invaluable artefact of both cartographic and historical importance. It provides a window into the geographical and cultural understanding of Ethiopia during the 18th century, as well as the European efforts to chart the unknown. Its blend of scientific rigour and artistic detail exemplifies the Enlightenment’s spirit of inquiry and dedication to advancing human knowledge.

Robert Bénard: A Short Biography

Robert Bénard (1734–1777) was a distinguished French engraver renowned for his significant contributions to cartography and natural history illustration during the 18th century. His meticulous engravings played a pivotal role in disseminating scientific and geographical knowledge in the Enlightenment era.

Early Life and Career

Born in Paris in 1734, Bénard honed his skills in the art of engraving, a discipline that demands precision and artistic finesse. His expertise led him to collaborate with prominent publishers and scholars, establishing his reputation as a master engraver.

Major Contributions

• Encyclopédie by Diderot and d’Alembert: Bénard is perhaps best known for his extensive work on the Encyclopédie, a monumental compendium of knowledge edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert. Between 1751 and 1772, he engraved at least 1,800 plates for this project, covering a vast array of subjects from machinery to natural history. His engravings were instrumental in visually conveying complex ideas and information to the readers.
• Cartographic Works: Beyond the Encyclopédie, Bénard contributed to various cartographic publications. He re-engraved maps based on Captain James Cook’s voyages for the French edition titled Continuation de l’Histoire Générale des Voyages. These maps provided the French-speaking audience with detailed insights into newly explored regions.

Artistic Style and Workshop

Bénard’s engravings are characterized by their clarity, attention to detail, and accuracy, reflecting the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and empirical evidence. He often signed his plates with “Benard fecit,” indicating his direct handiwork, or “Benard direxit,” signifying oversight of his workshop’s productions. This workshop system enabled the efficient production of a large volume of high-quality engravings.

Later Life and Legacy

Robert Bénard passed away in 1777. His engravings remain significant historical documents, offering insights into 18th-century scientific and geographical understanding. They continue to be valued for their artistic merit and as vital records of Enlightenment thought and exploration.

Note on Name Variations

Historical records sometimes present variations of his name, including “Benard” and “Besnard.” However, “Robert Bénard” is the most commonly recognized form.

In summary, Robert Bénard’s work as an engraver significantly enriched the visual documentation of knowledge during the Enlightenment, bridging the gap between art and science.

James Bruce: A Short Biography

James Bruce of Kinnaird was a Scottish explorer, writer, and antiquarian whose daring expeditions into Africa and Ethiopia in the late 18th century cemented his legacy as one of history’s most prominent travellers. His most famous achievement was tracing the source of the Blue Nile, an accomplishment that brought him both acclaim and controversy during his lifetime.

Early Life and Education

James Bruce was born on 14 December 1730 at Kinnaird House, near Larbert, Scotland, into a wealthy and influential family. His early education took place at Harrow School, followed by further studies at the University of Edinburgh, where he developed a strong foundation in classical literature, languages, and science. Initially, Bruce pursued a career in law, but his life took a different turn after marrying Adriana Allan, the daughter of a wine merchant, in 1754. Following her untimely death a year later, Bruce devoted himself to travel and exploration.

Path to Exploration

Bruce entered the wine trade, traveling through Spain and Portugal, where he became deeply fascinated by antiquities and ancient cultures. His growing interest in exploration was further fuelled by his extensive readings in geography and accounts of earlier travellers.

In 1763, Bruce was appointed British Consul in Algiers, a post that introduced him to North Africa and sparked his interest in the Nile, a river whose mysterious origins had captivated European imaginations for centuries. During his tenure, Bruce immersed himself in the study of local cultures, archaeology, and languages, mastering Arabic and Ge’ez (the liturgical language of Ethiopia). These skills would later prove invaluable during his expeditions.

Expedition to Discover the Source of the Nile

Bruce’s most famous journey began in 1768, when he set out to locate the source of the Blue Nile. His expedition took him through Egypt, the Red Sea, and into the Ethiopian highlands, a region largely unfamiliar to Europeans at the time. Despite facing significant challenges, including disease, treacherous terrain, and political hostility, Bruce persevered.

On 14 November 1770, Bruce reached Lake Tana, identifying it as the source of the Blue Nile. Although the Spanish Jesuit missionary Pedro Páez had documented this source over a century earlier, Bruce’s journey was remarkable for its thoroughness and the wealth of observations he provided. He charted the course of the river as it flowed from Lake Tana and meticulously recorded the geography, flora, fauna, and cultures of the regions he traversed.

Return to Europe and Publication

Bruce returned to Scotland in 1774 but faced scepticism from contemporaries who doubted his claims. His accounts, laden with vivid descriptions and tales of adventure, were seen by some as exaggerated. Undeterred, Bruce dedicated himself to documenting his findings.

In 1790, he published his monumental work, “Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile”, which spanned five volumes. This publication offered a detailed narrative of his journeys, observations on Ethiopian society, and insights into the geography of the Blue Nile region. Though initially met with scepticism, his work eventually gained recognition for its accuracy and depth.

Legacy and Later Life

James Bruce’s explorations significantly advanced European understanding of Africa, particularly Ethiopia and the Nile basin. His detailed observations of Ethiopian culture, history, and religion provided an invaluable record of a society that had remained relatively isolated from European influence.

Bruce spent his later years at his estate in Kinnaird, where he continued to study and write. On 27 April 1794, he died tragically after falling down a flight of stairs at his home.

Significance and Impact

James Bruce’s contributions to exploration and ethnography remain highly regarded. His meticulous documentation of the Blue Nile’s source and Ethiopian culture established him as a pioneer in geographical and anthropological research. Although overshadowed by scepticism in his time, Bruce’s legacy endures as one of the most intrepid explorers of the 18th century. His work bridged the gap between scientific inquiry and the spirit of adventure, inspiring future generations of travellers and geographers.

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