Nuova et copiosa descritione di tutto l'Egitto

Engraved title in the cartouche at upper left: NUOVA ET COPIOSA DESCRITTIONE DI TUTTO L'EGITTO. Follows the signature: Pur hora da Paulo Forlani Veronese intagliata in Venetia l’anno 1566. Orientation in the four sides in the center with the names of the winds: Tramontana, Ostro, Levante, Ponente, north is at the top. Map lacking graphic scale. Graduation in the margins, by 10' in 10', from 28° 13' to 32° 30' latitude and from 56° to 65° longitude.

Example in the first state of two described in Bifolco/Ronca, with the date 1566.

Paolo Forlani's map of Egypt is regarded as the first modern map of the region. In fact, the map is preceded by Giacomo Gastaldi's EGITTO NUOVA TAVOLA, prepared for the edition of Geografia published in Venice in 1548, and its replica, included in the later version by Girolamo Ruscelli (1561). However, Forlani's map, besides extending to the southwest, is clearly superior in cartographic detail. Although there is no specific reference to the sources used, as indeed is the case with other works published by Forlani, its derivation from Giacomo Gastaldi's large map of Africa in eight sheets of 1564 appears evident. The detail is even greater than the model used, as is the wealth of information provided, reasons that suggest Forlani's access to unpublished Gastaldi material. The regional map of Egypt was copied and included by Abraham Ortelius in Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (1570). The first state of the map is very common in sixteenth-century “Lafreri Atlas”, while its reprint, with the correct date in 1588, is known only through the specimen at the National Library in Jerusalem. (cfr. Bifolco-Ronca, Cartografia e topografia italiana del XVI secolo, p. 460).

Paolo Forlani, a native of Verona, opened his own chalcographic workshop in Venice, Al segno del pozzo, in 1560, as reflected in some of his works. From 1566 he was active in Merzaria al segno della colonna and from 1569 in Merzaria al segno della nave. Forlani had business relationships with the major publishers of cartographic material of the time, among them Antonio Lafreri, the Bertelli family, and others. In addition to being a talented engraver, he was also quick to execute, a quality that enabled him to work for different publishers at the same time, and to execute a large amount of work. Woodward attributes about one hundred works to Forlani, most of which, however, are unsigned. Between 1560 and 1567, Forlani collaborated with Ferrando Bertelli, for whom he engraved about ten copperplates, with Camocio, Bolognino Zaltieri, and with Claudio Duchetti, for whom he engraved some maps. For his professional activity, however, the collaboration with Giacomo Gastaldi, for whom he engraved thirteen maps, was very important and valuable. In 1567 Forlani published and traded his work Il primo libro delle città et fortezze principali del mondo, whose branches later passed to Bolognino Zaltieri. It is likely that Forlani died during the plague that spread through Venice from 1575.

Etching and engraving, impressed on contemporary laid paper with “siren in the circle” watermark (Woodward nos. 88-90), with margins, slight abrasions on verso, otherwise in perfect condition.

Bibliografia

Bifolco-Ronca, Cartografia e topografia italiana del XVI secolo, p. 460, Tav. 105 I/II; Almagià, Monumenta Cartografica Vaticana, 1948, n. 25; Biasutti (1920): p. 14; Tooley (1939): n. 1933; Woodward (1990): n. 49; Woodward (1992): n. 40.