Paolo Forlani - Claudio Duchetti:  Universale Descrittione Di Tutta la Terra Consciuta Fin Qui

Title: Universale Descrittione Di Tutta la Terra Consciuta Fin Qui

Map Maker: Paolo Forlani -  Claudio Duchetti

Description:

An excellent example of Paolo Forlani’s fourth map of the world, derived from Giacomo Gastaldi’s 1546 prototype world map and Forlani's earlier world maps of 1560 and 1565.  The present example bares the imprint of Forlani (Paolo Forlani Veronese) and Claudio Ducchetti.

Between 1560 and 1570, Forlani issued four world maps, the last 3 of which have identical titles (although each is a different size and different set of plates).  As with Forlani’s earlier world maps, this edition is a re-interpretation of Gastaldi, however a significant addition has been made:  a large and extensive southern continent is shown and labeled “Terra Incognita”.  Forlani has populated the unknown southern land mass with imaginary topographical features, although leaving outthe animals which appeared in the 1565 map (Forlani 3).

By 1565, Forlani’s maps of northern North America included the label "Nueva Franza" to recognize the growing French role in exploring what was still a little-known continent.  Despite Gastaldi pioneering the idea of separate Asian and American continents with the addition of the Strait of Anian in 1562, Forlani disregards this advance.  North America is still shown joined to Asia, but many of the eastern coastal features compare well with modern maps; proof that Forlani was skilled at incorporating the latest knowledge about North America's shape from existing charts and explorers' descriptions.  Florida and Cuba, for example, are quite accurately positioned.

Forlani’s large world map was published in 1570, shortly after Venice would reached what David Woodward calls the “zenith of map engraving”. Unlike Forlani 3, which is embellished with two cherubs in the top corners blowing the winds, this map includes an extensive set of notes in each corner.  In the lower corners are a key identifying places and a table of the moon.  Other embellishments include: numerous sea monsters and sailing vessels.  Forlani’s fanciful style made him one of the most popular Italian cartographers of the 16th Century.

Shirley opines that this map may have been published earlier than 1570, but there are apparently no known examples of an earlier state.

A superb example of this cartographic landmark.

References: Shirley, R.W. (World) #115, state 3; Imago Mundi III (Tooley - Italian Atlases) #12; Woodward, D. (Forlani) #35.04.

Related Categories:
Maps of the World
Maps of the World