1574 Tavola Nuova D' Italia
By: Girolamo Ruscelli
Date: 1574 (published) Venice
Dimensions: 7.25 x 10.25 inches (18.4 x 26. cm)
This Ruscelli map is another image of Italy from his work La Geografia di Claudio Tolomeo Alessandrino. Based on the work of Ptolemy, it depicts Italy and Corsica with parts of Sicily and Sardinia, along with territories in southern Europe adjacent to Italy and the Adriatic Sea. Numerous islands on either side of Italy are shown.
The map differs significantly from Ruscelli’s other maps of Italy. Coastlines are far more rugged and irregular. The country is depicted as being mountainous in virtually all regions, with numerous mountain ranges throughout. River systems are well depicted. Cities and towns are denoted and named. Lakes and seas are stippled.
Girolamo Ruscelli (1500-1566) was an Italian polymath, humanist, editor, alchemist and cartographer active in Venice during the early 16th century. Ruscelli is best known for his important revision of Ptolemy's Geographia, published posthumously in 1574.
Claudius Ptolemy (85-165 CE), a Roman citizen of Greek descent from Alexandria, was the most influential of Greek astronomers and geographers of his time. He propounded the geocentric theory of the solar system which was to prevail for the next 1400 years.
Condition: This map is in B+ condition. Heavily inked with some minimal residue, very minimal separation at the centerfold, otherwise sharp impression. Italian text on the verso.
Inventory #11798
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