This delightful small map of Italy, published in 1846 in Julius Loewenberg’s children’s atlas Geographische Länder-Fibel, is a fascinating example of 19th-century cartography designed for educational purposes.
At the center of the composition, the map of Italy showcases the pre-unification states, with their borders highlighted in beautiful contrasting colors: the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Papal States, and the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom.
Surrounding the map is an ornate frame featuring figures dressed in traditional clothing, representing different Italian regions and their local folklore. At the top, the emblem of papal authority, with the keys of Saint Peter and the papal tiara, emphasizes the significance of the Church’s dominion over a substantial part of the peninsula. At the bottom, two scenic views complete the decorative composition: on one side, a depiction of the Vatican with St. Peter’s Basilica, and on the other, the silhouette of Castel Sant’Angelo—an iconic fortress and former papal residence—testifying to the enduring connection between faith and political power.
Published in Berlin in 1846 by Verlag von Stern und Comp., Geographische Länder-Fibel is an educational work composed of 21 illustrated maps accompanied by verses. This children’s atlas aimed to make geography more accessible and engaging through the use of detailed maps and educational poetry. Each map represented a different region or country, enriched with illustrations of traditional costumes, monuments, and cultural scenes, offering both a geographical and cultural overview of the depicted areas.
The maps included in the atlas bear the signature “by Anst. v. A. Boeden of Berlin” at the bottom right. This inscription refers to the Anstalt von A. Boeden, a Berlin-based studio specializing in the production of maps and lithographic illustrations. The Anstalt von A. Boeden collaborated with various authors and publishers of the time, creating cartographic works for both educational and informative purposes. The precision and attention to detail in their lithographs reflect their high level of craftsmanship and their dedication to making maps both informative and visually appealing.
Julius Löwenberg (1800 – 1893): A Scholar of Geography
Julius Löwenberg was a German geographer and author, renowned for his prolific literary contributions in the field of geography and his close collaboration with the renowned naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.
Born in Strelno, Prussia (now Strzelno, Poland), Löwenberg began his education at a Talmudic school in Kleczewo before attending the gymnasium in Thorn. He continued his studies at the University of Berlin, where he focused on Church history, Christian dogmatics, and geography under the guidance of Carl Ritter. During his university years, he developed a strong literary output, which, thanks to his friendship with Alexander von Humboldt, gradually became increasingly focused on geography.
Löwenberg maintained both a professional and personal relationship with Humboldt. He made a significant contribution to Humboldt’s scientific biography, edited by Karl Christian Bruhns, by compiling a meticulous bibliography of all the scientist’s publications. This collaboration culminated in the publication of a three-volume biography, which remains a fundamental source for Humboldt studies.
Löwenberg published several geographical works distinguished by their clarity, rich illustrations, and educational value. His famous Länder-Fibel, from which this map originates, was designed to introduce children to the study of geography through illustrated maps enriched with artistic and cultural elements.
