Allegory of Venice

Etching, 1697 circa, inscribed on banner: “PLUS ULTRA”, at lower left: “GLI / ARGONA / UTI”; in basso a sinistra: “Lodouico Lamberti del: Alessandro Dalla Via Sc”.

Very good example, printed on contemporary laid paper, wide margings, in excellent condition.

Frontispecie of the work “Teatro delle citta e porti principali dell’Europa, in pianta, in profilo, ed in elevatione, Descritte, e Publicate ad uso dell’Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti, Parte III dedicate all’altezza Serenissima Di Francesco Farnese Duca VII…” by Vincenzo Coronelli, published in Venice in 1697.

There is little biographical information on Alessandro della Via, an artist of Veronese origin; the only certain data seems to be the year of his death, which occurred in 1738. His career began in Venice, inside the Accademia degli Accademia Argonauti, founded in 1684 by Coronelli, making engravings to be included in various works published by Coronelli.