LATTRÉ, J. / BONNE, R. - Les Indes Orientales et leur Archipel. . .

General map of Indonesia, extending from India to the Philippines and New Guinea.
Ornamented with a decorative title cartouche. Boundaries outlined in hand colour.

From the "Atlas moderne ou collection de cartes sur toutes les parties du globe terrestre.."

Rigobert Bonne (1727-1795 ) was one of the most important cartographers of the late 18th century. In 1773, he succeeded Jacques Bellin as Royal Cartographer to France in the office of the Hydrographer at the Depôt de la Marine. Working in his official capacity, Bonne compiled some of the most detailed and accurate maps of the period. Bonne’s work represents an essential step in the evolution of cartographic ideology away from the decorative work of the 17th and early 18th centuries towards a more detail-oriented, practical aesthetic.

Concerning the rendering of terrain, Bonne maps bear many stylistic similarities to those of his predecessor, Bellin. However, Bonne maps generally abandon such standard 18th-century decorative features such as hand colouring, elaborate decorative cartouches, and compass roses.

While primarily focused on coastal regions, Bonne's work is highly regarded for its detail, historical importance, and overall aesthetic appeal.