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Description

Scarce 1785 example of the Leonardo Bufalino plan of ancient Rome, originally engraved in 1551, which in turn was copied by Giambattista Nolli in 1748. This edition of the map was drawn by Giovanni Brun and printed by Carlo Los Lanno in Rome.

When examining the historical record of Rome, one artifact that stands out is the plan of Rome first created by Leonardo Bufalino in 1551.  Bufalino's map provided a rich and detailed picture of the city during the Renaissance. The map is a testament to Bufalino's attention to detail and deep respect for the city's past, as it meticulously depicts Rome's monuments and ancient ruins.

Bufalino's plan did more than just showcase the city as it was in his time. It also captured the layered history of Rome, with its ancient ruins standing alongside more recent structures, highlighting the city's growth and transformation over the centuries.

Almost two centuries later, Giambattista Nolli revisited Bufalino's plan. In 1748, he revised it to include the modern Rome of his time, and added a reduced version of Bufalino's plan to accompany his updated map. Nolli's version was a comparative piece, showcasing the significant expansion of Rome between 1551 and 1748.

The Nolli map is an important historical document in its own right, as it showed the ongoing evolution of Rome over time, while still paying homage to the past through Bufalino's detailed renderings of ancient structures and ruins.  The present edition retains the same illustrations as the Nolli original and the 307 point keys as its predecessors, providing a comprehensive guide to the city's landmarks.