Giovanni Antonio Magini - Ducato overo Territorio di Milano

The map depicts the Duchy of Milan and part of the neighboring territories, with Milan at the center of the road and hydrographic network. At the top right there is the rich cartouche with the title, supported by allegorical figures; lower down is the Visconti-Sforza coat of arms with the biscione. The composition derives from the cartographic model by Giovanni Antonio Magini, reproduced and disseminated in the great Dutch workshops of the Seventeenth Century.

Identification and attribution
The sheet bears on the reverse the French text with the current title “ESTAT DE MILAN,” the numbering 43–44 and the typographic signature “S.” These typographic and bibliographic elements identify the exemplar with Blaeu’s French edition of 1663, published in Amsterdam in the ninth volume of the “Le grand atlas, ou Cosmographie Blaviane,” dedicated to Italy.

Elements identifying the reverse
The attribution to Joan Blaeu, Amsterdam 1663, is supported not only by cartographic and stylistic comparison of the recto, but above all by the editorial data present on the reverse: French text, current title “ESTAT DE MILAN,” pages 43–44 and typographic signature “S.”

Elements of particular interest

• Milanese subject of strong historical and collectible interest.
• Precise attribution to Joan Blaeu and the Amsterdam French edition of 1663.
• Original French text on the reverse with pages 43–44 and signature S, identifying elements of the edition.
• Large allegorical cartouche and Visconti-Sforza coat of arms, with notable decorative impact.
• Important format and hand coloring.