Parmae et Placentiae Ducatus

Title in the large cartouche at lower left: PARMÆ | ET | PLACENTIÆ | DVCATVS. In the upper left cartouche we find the milestone scale.

Example in the second state; there is a proof of the map that is still without the cartouches.

Taken from the rare Italian edition of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum printed in Antwerp by Jean Baptiste Vrients in 1608 and again in 1612.

According to Peter Meurer (Meurer p. 18-189) the map is entirely based on Giovanni Antonio Magini's (1555-1617) map of 1598/99, which according to Almagià was completed before 1600 (see L'Italia di Giovanni Antoni Magini, 1922, pp. 48-51).

This map was engraved in 1608, by or for Jan Baptista Vrients, for inclusion in Ortelius' Theatrum, which Vrients continued to publish as Ortelius' executor. Therefore, it appeared only in the final four editions of Ortelius' atlas and is consequently one of the scarcest maps among those appearing in that work. It constitutes the pinnacle of decorative cartography and ranks among the most lavishly engraved maps. As is well known, Ortelius' atlases printed by Vrients enjoyed the highest quality hand coloring, and the present map is an example of this: the coloring of the cartouches, compass roses, and ships is particularly rich.

Johannes Baptista Vrients (1552-1612) was a Flemish engraver, publisher and cartographer. Not much is known about his early life, but it is assumed that he grew up as an apprentice among the cartographers of Antwerp, where the guild appointed him master in 1575. In the 1590s he executed maps of the world for Plancius and Linschoten. In 1600 he became executor of Ortelius' will and acquired the plates of the Theatrum after the cartographer's death. Between 1606 and 1612 he published more editions of Ortelius' atlas. Vrients also acquired De Jode's Speculum plates around 1600. Vrients' editions of the Theatrum were published not in Antwerp (the city had fallen during the Dutch war with Spain) but in Amsterdam.

Etching with magnificent contemporary coloring, in excellent condition.

Bibliografia

M. van den Broecke, M. Ortelius Atlas Maps: An illustrated Guide n. 132.2; Koeman/Meurer: 156; vdKrogtAN: 7250:31); C. Cantadori, Ducato di Parma e Piacenza, pp. 40-51.