Art

A wonderfully decorative and visually striking map by Joan Blaeu of the peninsular of Istria, situated on the Adriatic Sea, bordering Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. Blaeu's attractive map is embellished by a gorgeous title cartouche; featuring the winged Lion of Venice, together with a pair of armoured soldiers and a pair of winged mermaids either side of the pretty mileage scale in the lower right corner. All major coastal towns are highlighted in red, rivers, mountains, forests and hills are well defined, a ship is seen sailing within the Gulf of Venice. Over the centuries, Istria has been a part of the Republic of Venice; The Austrian Empire (twice); been under Napoleonic Rule and then finally a part of modern day Italy. Published in Blaeu's "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" or "Novus Atlas". Size: 530 x 640 mm. Copperplate engraving with wonderful early hand colour. Dutch text on verso. A few minor rust marks, and some slight discolouration to the central fold, otherwise in very good condition.