Cartographers

Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766) and Didier Robert De Vaugondy (1723-1786) were father and son, respectively.  Nephew to Pierre Moulard Sanson, Gilles was successful in utilizing the records and materials of the Sanson family.  As they often did not use the initials of their first names on their maps, it can be difficult to determine who made a given map. On some maps fils or filio follows the name, in other instances, the author can be determined by the distinctive way each signed his maps: Gilles normally used “M.Robert,” without a last name, and Didier, “Robert de Vaugondy.”

The Atlas Universal, jointly published in Paris in 1757, took 15 years to produce in two versions, 601 copies on large paper and 517 on small paper.  It was one of the most important 18th century atlases.  The Vaugondy’s employed strict standards for including maps in the atlas and in many cases subjected them to astronomically derived readings for latitude and longitude. Moreover, they used eighteenth century sources to provide their atlas with up-to-date information. Like Ortelius and Mercator before them, the Vaugondy`s listed the sources of their maps.

The cartouches of the maps of the Atlas Universel were highly praised at the time and since.  A number of artisans worked on their design and engraving; several were engraved and signed by the Haussard sisters. Among the most pictorial cartouches are found on maps showing the postal routes of Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. They depict postal carriers en route in richly detailed settings.

Pietro Ruga

Pietro Ruga (? – 1825) was an Italian engraver, best known for his architectural views of Roman monuments, churches and squares. Among the subjects of his engravings are the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of Santo Sefano Rotondo, the Piazza Navona and the Piazza del Quirinale.
He also was a draughtsman of a few maps of Rome during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.