Plan von Constantinopel: Lotter, 1770

This highly detailed and decorative map shows the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and its surrounding regions, including the Bosphorus Strait, the Black Sea (Mer Noire/Pont Euxin), and the Sea of Marmara (Marmora ou Mer Blanche). The map is bilingual, with titles and place names in both German and French, reflecting its intended audience of educated European viewers.

The upper section of the map presents a richly detailed bird’s-eye view of the city and its environs. The Bosphorus is prominently depicted, winding from the Black Sea in the north to the Sea of Marmara in the south. Numerous hills, forests, fields, and settlements are illustrated with stylized symbols, and the map is densely annotated with a numbered key corresponding to important locations, which are listed in columns at the top. The right side of the map features the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, along with decorative sailing ships and a compass rose, adding both navigational and aesthetic appeal.

At the bottom of the map is an elegant panoramic view of Constantinople as seen from the water, showcasing the city’s skyline with its famous domes, minarets, and fortifications. This artistic vignette provides a sense of the city’s grandeur and strategic maritime position. The map is hand-colored, with subtle pastel shades highlighting bodies of water, vegetation, and urban areas.

Background on Creator(s)

Tobias Conrad Lotter (1717–1777) was a prominent German engraver, cartographer, and map publisher based in Augsburg. Originally the son of a baker and city guardsman, Lotter’s career in cartography began when he married Euphrosina Seutter, the eldest daughter of the renowned map publisher Matthäus Seutter. Around 1740, Lotter started working in his father-in-law’s business, contributing engravings for major atlases such as the Atlas minor and other significant works. After Matthäus Seutter’s death in 1757, the business passed through the family before Lotter acquired a substantial portion of the map plates, which enabled him to establish his own successful publishing house. With the help of his sons, Lotter expanded the firm’s output and reputation, making it one of the leading map publishers in 18th-century Germany. His maps are known for their detail, decorative elements, and high-quality engraving. After Lotter’s death, his sons continued the business, but it gradually declined in prominence over subsequent generations.