Italia Antiqua Philippo Cluvero Borusso disegnatore

Historical map of the peninsula by Philipp Cluver (Cluverius) first published in Bertius' Theatrum Geographiæ Veteris.

Example edited by Jodocus Hondius and taken from the Latin edition of the Mercator/Hondius Atlas, circa 1630, entitled Atlantis Maioris Appendix, sive Pars Altera, ... Amsterdam, J. Janssonius, 1630. (Van der Krogt 1, 1:202).

First map dedicated to Italy by the great humanist and geographer, considered the true founder of historical geography. With graduated margins and no reticulation, the work is clearly Mercatori-derived.

The title of the map is in the upper right-hand corner within a cartouche on which an eagle rests, decorated with plant motifs. The semiology adopted is typical of the period, with molehills arbitrarily distributed. Rivers are outlined with a strong stroke, the coasts are outlined externally. A series of dots delineates the northern borders of the peninsula. A sailing ship plying the sea is present. The names of the ancient peoples of the peninsula also appear, as well as Roman-era names of the various historical regions.

Copperplate engraving, finely hand-colored, minimal restorations visible on verso, otherwise in very good condition.

Bibliografia

Van der Krogt 1, 7000H:1A.1; R. Borri "L'Italia nelle antiche carte…" (2011), scheda 87.