Subject: Liguria, Italy
Period: 1744 (circa)
Publication: Atlas Minor
Color: Hand Color
Size:
10 x 7.8 inches
25.4 x 19.8 cm
This small, detailed map depicts the Republic of Genoa, which was an independent state from 1005 to 1797, when it became occupied by the French revolutionary army of Napoleon. It was subsequently annexed by France until 1814, when the Congress of Vienna determined that it should be given to the Kingdom of Sardinia. At upper left is an inset view of the city of Genoa and the Passo della Bocchetta within a drape that is held up by putti. An elaborate rococo-style title cartouche fills the bottom portion of the map, surrounded by a vignette representing the rich agricultural bounty of the region. Demeter, goddess of the harvest, presides over the scene with a boy atop a wine barrel holding a goblet and a bunch of grapes. Engraved by Matthaeus Petter Lainpacher.
References: Nordenskiold (Vol. 2), #283-18.
Condition: B+
Folding, now pressed, with binding holes at left and bottom margin trimmed almost to neatline.