Italy - Mantua; Pietro Bertelli e Francesco Scoto - Itinerario d’Italia - 1651-1660

The bird’s-eye perspective view dates to the late 16th or the 17th century. It was drawn by the cartographer Pietro Bertelli (published in his Theatrum Urbium Italicarum of 1599) and later included in editions of the famous Itinerario d'Italia by Francesco Scoto (Franz Schott) printed in Padua.

The most evident element is Mantua’s defensively positioned location, completely surrounded by the waters of the Mincio River which form the famous city lakes (Superior, Mezzo, and Inferior) and the ancient basin of the Porto Catena (indicated on the map as "the Porto").

Fortifications and Gates: The main fortified access points are clearly marked, including: p. dela Ceres (Porta Cerese) P. de Pusterla (Porta Pusterla) p. la Pradela (Porta Pradella) P. S. Giorgio (Porta San Giorgio) near the adjacent bridge.

Decorative elements: In the upper left, the crest of the Gonzaga family appears, historical lords of the Duchy of Mantua. In the lower left, a Latin cartouche reads: «Mantua Lombardiae transpadanae Urbs clariss. et antiquiss. Venustissimum in medio Paludium situm obtinet» ("Mantua, most illustrious and ancient city of Lombardy north of the Po, occupies a most charming position in the middle of the marshes").

The Mantua map is a copper engraving watercolorized, executed in 1659 by Francesco Scoto. This map is part of the work Itinerario d’Italia, published in Padua for Matteo Cadorino.

Sheet size: approx. 16 × 20 cm
Engraving size: approx. 12 × 17 cm
Support: Light, creased paper
Condition: In good condition, small tear at the bottom left not affecting the print.

NOT shipped to the United States.