La Topografia di Roma di Gio Batta Nolli dalla Maggiore in questa Minor Tavola dal Medesimo Ridotta
| Reference: | S43507 |
| Author | Giambattista NOLLI |
| Year: | 1748 |
| Zone: | Rome |
| Printed: | Rome |
| Measures: | 685 x 470 mm |
| Reference: | S43507 |
| Author | Giambattista NOLLI |
| Year: | 1748 |
| Zone: | Rome |
| Printed: | Rome |
| Measures: | 685 x 470 mm |
Description
Etching and engraving, 1748, signed on stone with scale at bottom center "Piranesi e Nolli incisero".
Famous map of Rome, engraved by Giovanni Battista Nolli and Carlo Nolli, beautifully enriched with decorative elements engraved by Giovanni Battista Piranesi.
The map depicts the center of Rome on a large backdrop unfolded by the putto in the upper right. On the upper left a putto holds the coat of arms of Cardinal Alessandro Albani, to whom the work is dedicated, as shown in the cartouche below. On the left side, below the putto holding the coat of arms, departs a legend with a list of one hundred and seventy places of interest, palaces, monuments, and churches, which continues on the right border. At the bottom center, on the ruins of a pedestal, is the title. The lower part of the composition shows a mirror image of St. Peter's Basilica, the facade of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme by Pietro Passalacqua and Domenico Gregorini, the Trevi Fountain by Nicola Salvi, and the facade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore by Ferdinando Fuga.
The map is known as Nolli's "Small Plan"; small to distinguish it from the famous large relief, imprinted on 12 sheets (plus 6 of index), of which this map represents the reduction. It is numbered 33-34 because it followed, in the complete publication, the 6 index sheets of the wall map.
The title is given at the bottom, within the pedestal of the Trajan column. Next to it, within an architectural fragment on which is the "scala in palmi romani d'architettura", is the signature of engravers C. Nolli and G.B. Piranesi.
G.B. Nolli's dedication to Cardinal Alessandro Albani is dated "Roma il dì primo del 1748." The indication of publication is in the flap, folded, of the cartouche on the right side.
Etching, impressed on contemporary laid paper, complete with margins, light and diffuse browning, minimal abrasions, otherwise in good condition.
Bibliografia
Scaccia Scarafoni n. 227; Marigliani, 190; Frutaz CLXIX a-c; Wilton-Ely 1994, n. 1007.
Giambattista NOLLI (Como 1701 - Roma 1756)
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Giambattista Nolli was an Italian architect and surveyor. He is best known for his ichnographic plan of Rome, the Pianta Grande di Roma which he began surveying in 1736 and engraved in 1748, and now universally known as the Nolli Map. The map is composed of 12 copper plate engravings that was published in response to the commission of Pope Benedict XIV to survey Rome in order to help create demarcations for the 14 traditional rioni or districts. It was by far the most accurate description of Rome produced to date at a time when the architectural achievement of the Papacy was in full flower.
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Giambattista NOLLI (Como 1701 - Roma 1756)
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Giambattista Nolli was an Italian architect and surveyor. He is best known for his ichnographic plan of Rome, the Pianta Grande di Roma which he began surveying in 1736 and engraved in 1748, and now universally known as the Nolli Map. The map is composed of 12 copper plate engravings that was published in response to the commission of Pope Benedict XIV to survey Rome in order to help create demarcations for the 14 traditional rioni or districts. It was by far the most accurate description of Rome produced to date at a time when the architectural achievement of the Papacy was in full flower.
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