Friedrich Bernhard Werner's 1731 map of Genoa

Friedrich Bernhard Werner's maps and the view of Genoa from 1731

Friedrich Bernhard Werner (1690-1776) was a true "visual chronicler" of European cities. A German cartographer and painter, he captured, with incredible mastery, the essence of the cities of his time. Working in the Baroque period, an era marked by fiery passions and monumentality, Werner infused his works with a deep taste for detail and an almost photographic fidelity to urban reality. His engravings - from Venice to Rome, from London to Paris - continue to be admired for their dual artistic and documentary value. They are true windows onto the topography and architecture of the 18th century, a rich and engaging look at an era now distant.

The view of Genoa from 1731 : a masterpiece that tells a story

Among Werner 's many creations, one in particular captures the attention: the view of Genoa from 1731 , published in Augsburg by the heirs of Jeremias Wolff. This extraordinary engraving, known as a "perspective view" , offers a view of the Ligurian city and its port, as they appeared from the sea. The perspective chosen by Werner gives the work a scenographic depth and breadth of view that capture the observer's eye, inviting him to immerse himself in the details of eighteenth-century Genoa .

At the top right, the coat of arms of Genoa shines like a seal, a signature that evokes the prestige and history of the city. Below the image, a detailed list guides the observer through 57 landmarks : churches, public buildings, fortifications and other prominent places. A detail that reveals the extraordinary care of Werner , his works, in fact, are true stories in images, in which each monument contributes to revealing the soul of the city.

The publication of the view was handled by the heirs of Jeremias Wolff, a renowned publisher from Augsburg, the city that in the 18th century had established itself as one of the major European centers of printing. Upon his death, the baton passed to his son-in-law Johan Balthasar Probst, who continued the activity under the brand "Heirs of Jeremias Wolff". The view of Genoa is part of this prestigious tradition, perpetuating the fame of the engravings produced by Wolff and his successors. The quality of the engraving reflects the mastery of the era, when cartography was both a science and an art.

Genoa in the 18th century : the heart of a living city

Werner's map transports us directly to Genoa in the 18th century, in a period of maximum splendor. The port , the beating heart of the city, dominates the scene: a swarm of ships, trade and exchanges that testify to the central role of Genoa in the Mediterranean. Around the port develops a dense urban landscape, with towers, defensive walls and buildings that tell of the wealth and vitality of a city projected towards the sea.

The 57 precisely listed landmarks are not just a list of buildings: they represent the very soul of Genoa . From churches to noble residences, each architectural structure speaks of the political, religious and economic importance of the city in the eighteenth century. The majestic Palazzo Ducale and the solemn Cathedral of San Lorenzo stand out, symbols of the power and faith that characterized city life. And then, the port : a true stage for trade and navigation, where the perpetual coming and going of ships reflects the inexhaustible energy of the city. The map is a tribute to maritime Genoa , which Werner has captured with an unparalleled touch.

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Werner's Legacy : A Treasure of History and Art

Friedrich Bernhard Werner's views are today considered authentic treasures, precious testimonies of an era in which cities were the hub of the world. His engravings allow us to explore with vivid precision the urban and architectural characteristics of 18th-century European cities. For historians, scholars and art enthusiasts, Werner 's works are fundamental iconographic sources, indispensable keys to understanding the evolution of cities in the social and economic context of the time.

The view of Genoa from 1731 is one of his most representative masterpieces. Its publication in Augusta is not only a tribute to the greatness of Genoa , but also a reflection of the interest of the time in the visual documentation of great cities. Every detail of this representation tells a story: the imposing walls, the intricate streets, the majestic buildings, everything contributes to painting the portrait of a lively and powerful city. The engraving is in the tradition of perspective views that celebrate cities as symbols of culture, power and beauty. With his unmistakable touch, Werner offers us a snapshot of Genoa that, even today, fascinates us and speaks to us of a distant time, making it alive through every engraved line.