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Map, Italy, Rome, Novissima et Accuratissima Romae, G.B. Falda, Antique Print, 1690s (Sold)

Johann Georg Graevius (1632-1703) (editor)
Giovanni Battista Falda (1643-1678) (cartographer)
Novissima et Accuratissima Romae Veteris et Novae Tabula Topographica Delineatore Ioanne Baptista Falda
[Very New and Accurate Map of Ancient and New Rome, Cartography Drawn by Giovanni Battista Falda]

from Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romanarum
Frans Halma and Pieter van der Aa, Utrecht and Leiden: c. 1694-99
Hand-colored engraving
19.75 x 25.25 inches, plate mark
21.5 x 27.5 inches, overall
SOLD
zsold

An illustrated map of Rome, richly detailed with bird’s-eye views of its principal buildings, landmarks, streets, piazzas, gardens and houses. In the upper left corner, a figure in papal vestments, probably representing St. Peter, holds a large gold key. He is seated beside an allegorical figure of Justice above a numbered key to buildings shown in the map: “Index of Churches of Rome, with the names of Monasteries, Convents and Oratories.” On the right side, beneath two seated putti and a distance scale, the lengthy key continues, and also lists palaces and other important buildings. The printer’s credits are presented on an illustration of an ancient tablet, portrayed among fragments of statuary and figures representing ancient Romans. The map is decorated throughout with allegorical figures and depictions of putti.

Product Description Continued Below

Description

Novissima et Accuratissima Romae Veteris et Novae Tabula is based on Giovanni Battista Falda’s earlier Nuova Pianta et alzata della citta di Roma, originally published as a huge 12-sheet map with views in 1676. In the offered version, created posthumously, the map itself and the illustration in the upper left corner are substantially the same as in Falda’s larger version. These were combined with new illustrations and keys for the fourth volume of Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romanarum, a magnificent 12-volume compendium of engravings, maps and illustrations of ancient Rome, edited by Johann Georg Graevius and printed by the Dutch publishers Frans Halma and Pieter van der Aa. This was the only illustration in that work engraved after Falda, who was known for his architectural views of Rome. The Halma-van der Aa version was later reprinted during the 18th century by Halma alone, with a Dutch inscription on the stone at the bottom right, and also by Pietro Monaco in Venice, with no inscription on the stone.

Giovanni Battista Falda was an Italian draftsman and printmaker. He is best known for his architectural views, which introduced an influential realist style into Roman printmaking and helped make Rome a major center for architectural prints. From at least 1655, he produced views of the buildings, gardens and fountains of Rome, as well as detailed plans of the city and ceremonial events. Many of his works celebrated Pope Alexander VII’s role in the renovation of Rome. Falda’s most famous works are Nuovo Teatro (1665-69), Giardini di Roma (1670) and Fontane di Roma (1675).

Publication information (inscription on stone lower right): Excudebant Trafiect: ad Rhenum Franciscus Halma et Lugdun. Batav. Petrus Vander Aa.

Details Shown Left:
Baths of Diocletian and Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral
Colisseum
Full sheet
Backlit detail showing the paper’s watermark

References:

“Catalogus Librorum qvi in Thesavro Antiqvitatvm Romanarvm.” University of Florida Rare Book Collection. 23 February 2004. http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/rarebook/graevius/illustrators.htm (16 May 2013).

“Giovanni Battista Falda.” The Grove Dictionary of Art. New York: Macmillan. 2000. Artnet.com. http://www.artnet.com/library/02/0274/T027427.asp (6 December 2004).

Additional information

Century

17th Century