This map, titled Le Royaume de Bohême Divisée en ses Douze Cercles (1740), is a refined eighteenth-century representation of the Kingdom of Bohemia, originally compiled by Johann Ulrich Müller and later reissued by the prominent Amsterdam publishing house Covens & Mortier. It reflects the high standards of Dutch cartography at a time when political geography and administrative clarity were becoming central concerns of mapmaking.
The composition divides Bohemia into its twelve administrative circles (Kreise), each clearly outlined and typically distinguished by hand-applied color. This division emphasizes the kingdom’s internal organization within the Habsburg Monarchy and the Holy Roman Empire, making the map both a geographic reference and an administrative document. Major towns, fortified cities, monasteries, and market centers are densely labeled, highlighting Bohemia’s economic vitality and urban network.
Hydrography plays a prominent role. The Vltava (Moldau) and Elbe (Labe) river systems are carefully traced, illustrating their importance as transport corridors and natural structuring elements of the landscape. Mountain ranges such as the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), Bohemian Forest (Böhmerwald), and Sudetes form clearly defined borders, rendered in shaded relief that conveys both topography and political separation.
Covens & Mortier’s engraving enhances Müller’s original survey with crisp linework and balanced typography. An ornate cartouche, often enriched with allegorical figures and heraldic symbolism, reinforces Bohemia’s royal status and historical prestige. Roads, boundaries, and jurisdictional divisions are emphasized, reflecting Enlightenment-era priorities of order, governance, and spatial control.
Overall, the map stands as an authoritative and visually elegant portrayal of Bohemia in the mid-eighteenth century, combining scientific accuracy with decorative sophistication and serving both practical and representational purposes.
