Bilder Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726) - Map of Italy – L’Italie – Hand-Coloured Copperplate (18th Century Edition, Paris)

Beskrivning

This finely engraved and richly hand-coloured map of the Italian Peninsula, including Sardinia, Corsica, and parts of Sicily, is based on the authoritative cartography of Guillaume Delisle, one of the most respected French geographers of the early 18th century. It reflects his scientific approach and insistence on observational accuracy, distinguishing him from his more decorative Dutch predecessors.

The map is framed with a decorative cartouche in the upper right corner, featuring allegorical female figures, olive branches, and military standards—hallmarks of Enlightenment cartographic aesthetics. The inclusion of administrative boundaries, city names, and physical geography (mountain ranges, rivers, and coastlines) showcases both political and topographical precision. A legend in the lower right corner explains the delineation of French administrative departments relevant to the Napoleonic influence in Italy during later printings.

Artist or Maker:
Guillaume Delisle (map); Jean-Baptiste Delahaye (engraver)

Dimensions:
54 cm x 75 cm

Medium:
Hand-Coloured Copper Engraving

Date:
18th Century

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.