Commissioned by Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Joseph II, the military officer Joseph de Ferraris directed the creation of the Carte-de-Cabinet of the Austrian Netherlands between 1771 and 1778. This project produced a vast collection of hand-drawn and hand-coloured maps, providing precise geographic intelligence that influenced military operations for decades after the original survey was completed.
Military Cartography
Born in Lunéville in 1726, Ferraris served as a field marshal within the Austrian military hierarchy. His primary contribution to statecraft involved the systematic documentation of the Austrian Netherlands. The completed survey consisted of 275 sheets, each measuring 0.90 by 1.40 metres, maintained at a scale of 1:11,520. These visuals were supplemented by twelve volumes of handwritten commentary detailing regional bridges, forests, river systems, and potential sites for military encampments.
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Ferraris produced a smaller-scale commercial version, known as the carte marchande, in 1777 and 1778, consisting of 25 maps at a scale of 1:86,400. During the French Revolutionary Wars, the strategic value of these charts led the French military to seize engraving plates and printed copies. French engineer Louis Capitaine adapted the original work into new versions of 69 sheets and a six-sheet format. These derivatives remained in use for years, including by the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon during the Waterloo Campaign, even as the topographical information became outdated regarding industrial developments such as coal mines.
Preservation of Originals
Three original sets of the cabinet maps endure. One is held at the Rijksarchief in The Hague, while the Kriegsarchiv in Vienna maintains another. The third collection, once designated for Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine, is housed in the Royal Library of Belgium. These specific maps were transferred to Belgium in 1922 following the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, fulfilling a requirement established in the post-World War I reparations process.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 April 1726, Lunéville
- Died: 1 April 1814, Vienna
- Rank: Field Marshal
- Nationality: Austrian
- Key Project: Carte-de-Cabinet of the Austrian Netherlands
- Awards: Grand Cross and Commander Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa
- Legacy: Graaf de Ferrarisgebouw building in Brussels
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the Ferraris maps?
They were designed for economic and military assessment, detailing terrain features like rivers and forests for strategic planning.
Where can the original maps be viewed today?
The three remaining original sets are held by the Rijksarchief in The Hague, the Kriegsarchiv in Vienna, and the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels.
Achievements
- Commander Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa
- Grand Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa
- Recorded as cartographer, military officer and general field marshal
