Puteoli / Lopizzo

Rare view depicting Pozzuoli and Pizzo Calabro from “Roma Regina Mundi, oder die hocstberuhmteste in Welshland ligende, Grosse, der Welt und Christenheit HaupStatt und Konigin Rom...” published in Augsburg in 1686 by Jacob Enderlins and Thomas Astaler. This is a lavishly illustrated volume intended to be a brief guide for Germans traveling through Italy, with succinct indications of the cities.

The illustration concerning Pizzo calabro is itself taken from that included in Hieronymus Megiser's “Delitiae Neapolitanae das ist wahrhaffte...” published in Leipzig by Hening Gobn in 1605, which also included a map of the Kingdom of Naples.

The engraving shows the outline of the Neapolitan settlement and a small cylindrical tower on top of which, a fisherman in charge of spotting fish and waving a cloth, to signal the movement of the shoal to the boats, is visible. The work is one of the earliest depictions of the Vibonese coast and Pizzo and documents tuna fishing.

Jacob Enderlin was a German engraver and publisher, descended from Suabia. He became famous for his historical and geographical editions in the late 17th century. His works include, for the most part, prints relating to the campaigns of the Holy League against the Ottoman Empire (1684-1690). Enderlin's work, was based on the publications of Vincenzo Maria Coronelli, begun in 1686. Enderlin published at least one work each year until 1693. Many of the plates illustrating his works, are copies of earlier engravings.

Etching, impressed on contemporary laid paper, slight oxidation, otherwise in good condition.