The De Rossi-Cantelli two-sheet map of the Dalmatian coast.
Dalmatia maritima [2 sheets].
$1,200
In stock
Description
A stunning 1689 two-sheet map of the eastern Adriatic coast, between today’s Croatia and the Drin River in northern Albania, prepared by Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola and published by Giovanni Giacomo de Rossi.
Cities and towns, administrative borders, churches, mountains, waterways, terrain, and islands are noted throughout. An index of ‘counties’ and a list of corresponding ancient and modern place names appear at the bottom left within an ornate cartouche with a nautical theme. A cartouche at the top right includes a florid dedication to the Catholic cardinal Lorenzo Casoni.
At the time this map was created, the coastal region depicted was under the sway of the Republic of Venice, a crucial detail that influenced Cantelli da Vignola’s meticulous mapping. Inland, the Ottomans were gaining ground, having seized Bosnia in 1463 and Herzegovina in 1483. Their capture of the fortress of Klis (Clissa) in 1537 marked their dominance over much of Croatia, but the coastal city of Split (Spalato) remained a Venetian stronghold, a beacon of resistance amidst Ottoman rule.
Census
This map was prepared by Cantelli da Vignola and engraved by Antonio Barbey in Rome in 1689 for publication in Rossi’s Atlas Mercurio Geografico. This map is only independently cataloged in the OCLC among the holdings of Princeton University, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and the Biblioteca Nacional de España.
Cartographer(s):
Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola (1643–1695) was a prominent Italian cartographer known for his detailed and decorative maps, which significantly contributed to the field of cartography in the 17th century. Born in Vignola, near Modena, Italy, little is known about his early life and education. Cantelli began his cartographic career in the late 17th century, a period marked by increasing sophistication and artistry in mapmaking. He was renowned for his maps’ accuracy and intricate details, often embellished with elaborate cartouches and mythical figures, making them both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Cantelli produced numerous maps covering various regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa, many of which were included in atlases published by prominent publishers such as Giovanni Giacomo De Rossi in Rome. His maps of Italy, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean region were particularly well-regarded for their precision and detail. Cantelli’s collaboration with De Rossi helped disseminate his work widely, establishing his reputation as a leading cartographer of his time.
Cantelli’s influence on cartography extended beyond his lifetime, setting a standard for mapmaking in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His combination of artistic elements with geographical accuracy was admired and emulated by other cartographers. Today, Cantelli’s maps are valuable historical documents preserved in libraries, museums, and private collections worldwide, providing insights into the geographical knowledge and artistic sensibilities of the 17th century. Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola remains a significant figure in the history of cartography, remembered for his meticulous and beautifully crafted maps that advanced geographical knowledge during his era.
Giacomo Giovanni de RossiGiovanni Giacomo de Rossi (1627–1691) was an Italian engraver and printer, active in Rome in the second half of the 17th century. He was born in Vignola and was the first official cartographer of the Court of Modena, in 1685, when the Duke Francis II appointed him geographer.
His father, Giuseppe de Rossi, was the founder of the most important and active printing press of the 17th century in Rome.
Condition Description
Very good. Slight discoloration and creasing along centerfold. Small wormholes on left sheet towards top-left.
References
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