08/20/2026
1950s - The Map of the Land of Loving - Carte du pays de Tendre - Original Map
Fascinating and charming circa 1950s recreation of a 1659 map showing the path to love. The Map of Tendre (Carte de Tendre or Carte du Tendre) was a French map of an imaginary land called Tendre produced by several hands (including Catherine de Rambouillet). It appeared as an engraving (attributed to François Chauveau) in the first part of Madeleine de Scudéry's 1654-61 novel Clélie. The map represents the path towards love from new friendship, the easiest route being down the river of inclination to Tendre-sur-Inclination with mutual affection. If this isn't possible, one might travel on land to Tendre-sur-Estime through the places of Sincerity, Love letters, and Respect (among others) but be wary of straying and ending up in the Lake of Indifference. Similarly, one might reach Tendre-sur-Reconnaissance through the places of Small gifts, Eagerness, Tenderness, and Constant Friendship, but tread carefully so as not to fall into the Sea of Enmity. This map appears to us to be the work of Daniel Derveaux although at the bottom it is signed Jaques Desreveaulx. Daniel Derveaux is known for signing his maps with fictional names that are sometimes a play on his own name. The map is undated but probably produced around the 1950s. Derveaux was active from the 1930s-1980s.
