The artwork

The rare map of Ostia, engraved by Antonio Lafreri, offers a detailed and accurate view of the port of Rome as it was during the Roman Empire.

Lafreri, one of the most important Italian cartographers of the 16th century, is known for his contribution to cartography through the Lafreri School, which revolutionised the making of atlases. The elegantly engraved map of Ostia is not only a valuable historical document but also an example of the skill and innovation of the cartography of the period.

The Lafreri School, active between 1544 and 1585, was famous for its composite atlases, which included maps selected according to the interests of the buyers. This approach led to a variety of styles and formats, visible in the surviving atlases. Lafreri, together with prominent figures such as Giacomo Gastaldi and Paolo Forlani, contributed significantly to the spread of geographical ideas and to the cartographic art of the period.

His works, including the map of Ostia, are considered milestones of Renaissance cartography and are prized for their combination of historical and artistic value.

FEATURES

Print on handmade Amalfi paper with frame
Sheet size: 29 x 42 cm (11.4 x 16.5 in)
With frame: 31 x 44 cm (12.2 x 17.3 in);
Material: artwork printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges, handmade beech wood frame