Deák Antal András: A Duna fölfedezése

Tartalom - III.A DANUBIUS PANNONICO-MYSICUS, 1726

T II E DISCOVERY OF THE DANUBE Marsigli made it for the Austrian emperor during the demarcation of the frontier. This statement is untrue concerning both the time of its preparation and its purpose. First, the map could not be made prior to the demarcation and the ratification of the borders, since it depicts the final, accepted borderline along the Unna river with the characteristic gap above Novi.

11

4 Second, had the map been made for the Austrian emperor it would not have remained in Marsigli's possession. It is more probable that the map was made for Marsigli himself. This seems to be supported by an legend on the map. The following remark can be read in Latin near Ostrovitza where three borders meet: Domus natalitia familiae Zrinianae; quam vero postmodum, cum arce Zerin, permutavit, that is: The famous Zrinyi family, who later moved to the castle of Új-Zrinyi, originated from here. The manuscript bequest in Bologna reveals that Marsigli also studied the genealogy and history of the Zrinyi family who were famous fighters against the Turks.

11

5 The map was apparently drawn, not by Marsigli, but by Müller. This supposition, based on certain, specific stylistic traits, is supported by its hydrographical characteristics and Müllers scale drawn using astronomically determined positions. If we compare it with the map of Croatia in the volume concerning the states of the Hungarian Kingdom drawn by Müller,

116 one where his authorship has already been demonstrated with documents,

11

7 the map of Hungary published in 1709 and one of the frontier maps that can be found both in Vienna and Bologna,

11

8 it becomes evident that Müller drew the map.

119 In this regard, the legend on this last map provides the most important arguments for this map being Müller's work. First, Müller emphasised, we ourselves determined the scale indicated at the edge of the map after a few astronomical observations made during the work of the frontier commission; second, the course of larger rivers, such as the Unna river from Novi to its mouth, the Sava river from Zagreb to Mitrovitz [Mitrovica], the Tisza river from its mouth to Szeged and, the Maros river up to Déva were depicted along with their natural meanders from the data calculated by a compass. The outlines of the rivers and the scale are identical on the four maps. This means that this nice map of Croatia, made to a scale, based on instrumental measurements and astronomical positions was made by Müller between 1701 and 1702

12

0 on the order of Marsigli. Following Marsigli's and Müller's mapping activities along the borders, we witness exciting cartographic process and development. Before our very eyes, detailed surveys became the backbones for regional and partial national maps. The cartographic work done during the demarcation of the borders was important in regard to the Danube monograph as well. Müller, who drew the maps for the Danubius, grew to be a ripe and experienced cartographer 11

4 The ultimate boundaries were ratified and ceremoniously announced on March 5, 1701. 11 5 BUB Mss di Marsigli Vol. 79. p. 191. Paulus Ritter. Zágráb, February 26, 1700. He was not yet able to send the genealogy of the Zrinyi family. He attached the treatise on the Bans of Slavonia as Marsigli requested. 11

6 BUB Mss di Marsigli Vol. 28. Monarchia Hungarica in sua regna, principatus et ducatus divisa. '

1

7 Deák Antal András: Die Nürnberger Hersteller der Ungarn- und Donau-Karten von L. F. Marsigli. In: W. Scharfe (Hrsg.): Gerhard Mercator und seine Zeit. 7. Kartographiehistorisches Colloquium Diusburg 1994. Vorträge und Berichte. Duisburg 1996. (= Duisburger Forschungen, Bd. 42) pp. 211-216. 11

8 The Vienna version can be found in: Kriegsarchiv, Kartenabteilung B IX c 632.; the Bologna one in: BUB Mss di Marsigli Rotolo 29. On the Bologna version, neither the name nor the date is indicated, while Müller signed and dated the one which was sent toVienna (1701). The measurements of the Bologna version are: 75 x 156 cm; the Vienna one can be seen on 75 x 50 cm, 75 x 55 cm and 75 x 51 cm sheets mounted on canvas. They have an inverse orientation. Scale: 1 : 450,000. 11

9 See Vol. 28. 12

9 As we have seen, he could not have drawn it earlier. If he had drawn it previously, it would have been discussed in the repeatedly quoted letters. 114