La victoria in favore di Christiani fu alli 7 de Ottobre a hore 17 tra Lepanto ella Ceffalonia allo Schoglio Chuzulari l’A

- UTMOST RARITY -

Etching and engraving, signed and dated on the plate: 1572 Marius MK [Monogram of Mario Cartaro surmounted by the date 1572 date] Kartarus fecit [at the bottom of the title, in the right cartouche]

Without orientation; with graphic scale and graduation on the edge.

The plate depicts the Battle of Lepanto, the naval engagement in the waters off southwestern Greece between the allied Christian forces of the Holy League and the Ottoman Turks during an Ottoman campaign to acquire the Venetian island of Cyprus, which took place on October 7, 1571.

Early in 1570 the Ottoman sultan, Selim II, demanded that the Venetian hand over the island of Cyprus. When the Venetians refused to cede the island, invaded it in 1570.
Pope Pius V persuaded Philip II of Spain to join with Venetians to defeat the Turkish attack on Cyprus. Genoa, Savoy, and the Knights of Saint John also agreed to send forces.

The Holy League fleet consisted of 108 venetian galley, 81 Spanish galley, and 32 others provided by the pope and other allies.

The Turkish fleet consisted of 270 galleys, which were faster and more maneuverable than the Christians'ship but were also smaller and less well protected. The Turkish commander was Uuuch Ali, a former Christian slave who had renounced his religion.

The ability of the Christians to fire down onto the decks of the smaller Turkish ships placed the Turkish forces at a serious disadvantage.

The two fleets made a magnificent sight as they closed. Each side hoped to overawe the other by its apperance and so gain a psychological advantage before the battle started. The galleys were richly decorated with gilded carvings and colorful banners, while the soldiers and naval officers wore striking uniforms and polished armor.

After repulsing the first Turkish assault, the Christians gradually got the upper hand. When Müezzenzade Ali Pasha was shot and killed, Turkish resistance began to break. Seeing the collapse of the rest of theTurkish fleet, Uluch Ali broke off his fight against the Christian right flank and made good his escape with 47 galleys. The Turks lost over 200 ships, while 30.000 of their men was killed and 4000 taken prisoners. Christian losses included 12 galleys sunk, 7500 dead, and 8000 injured. In all, the battle had lasted just three hours.

The victory against the Turkish army they stopped the advance in Europe, protecting Rome from invasion. The event at the time was really remarkable and sensational, even attracting the interest of many artists. There are different interpretations of the subject in Venice, due to all merchants, engravers and cartographers such as Nelli, Zenoi, Bertelli, Rota and Camocio same, which are known two more different depictions of the theme.

Extremely rare work, mentioned only by Destombes and National Library of Spain.

Excellent example.