Accurater Prospect der... Stadt Carls Ruhe - Representation exacte de Charles Ruh...

Magnificent, large bird's-eye view of Karlsruhe by Matthäus Seutter in excellent condition. With a German-French title bar at the top and ornamental cartouches in the corners, a large coat of arms in the center.

Karlsruhe stands as one of the last great European cities to be meticulously planned from scratch. Karl Wilhelm, Margrave of Baden-Durlach, departed from the medieval confines of his former residence, Durlach, in favor of a new city imbued with openness and innovation.

According to legend, Karl Wilhelm experienced a visionary moment while resting in the Hardtwald forest during a hunting expedition. In his dream, he envisioned a splendid palace at the heart of his new city, its streets radiating outward like the sun's rays. Inspired by this vision, Karl Wilhelm orchestrated the design of his dream city, ultimately laying the foundation stone for Karlsruhe castle tower on June 17, 1715.

The exact motivations behind the city's foundation remain uncertain. The radial layout, often associated with the embodiment of absolutism, mirrored the pattern of a hunting star, thereby opening up the Hardtwald forest for royal pursuits. Initially serving as a hunting lodge and pleasure palace, the tower evolved into the seat of the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach by 1718.

Remarkably, Karlsruhe's original urban plan endures to this day: the castle occupies the center of a circular layout, with streets extending outward into the city's southern reaches and avenues penetrating the northern expanse of the Hardtwald forest. From the vantage point of the castle tower, one can survey all 32 thoroughfares, precisely corresponding to the divisions of a compass rose.

George Matthaus Seutter, a German publisher, cartographer and engraver from Augsburg, was born 1678 as the son of a goldsmith. After an apprenticeship at J. B. Homann in Nuremberg, he returned to his native city of Augsburg and worked in the publishing firm of Jeremiah Wolf. In 1707 he founded his own successful publishing company and produced maps, atlases and globes. Seutter died in 1757. The company went over to his son Albrecht Carl and his stepsons G. B. Probst and T. C. Lotter in after his death in 1757. The latter being regarded as his true successor. According to C. Sandler, following atlases have been published by Seutter:

- Atlas Geographicus oder Accurate Vorstellung der Ganzen Welt, 1725
- Atlas Compendiosus oder die ganze Welt in den nothwendigsten Geographischen Charten
- Atlas Compendiosus Scholasticus
- Atlas Novus Indicubus Instructus, 1728
- Grosser Atlas, 1734
- Atlas Minor, 1744

Beside the atlases, Seutter produced a pair of 20 cm table globes during his early days.

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Baden-Württemberg - Seutter, George Matthäus - Accurater Prospect der... Stadt Carls Ruhe...