Mediolanun Milano.
19 1/4 x 23 5/8 inches, Fine hand color with gold detailing; fine condition.
This large, oblique aerial view of Milan is certainly among the most beautiful early depictions of the city known. The city's structures are shown with considerable architectural detail, especially the larger structures such as the Duomo in center of the work. In all, 256 structures are listed and keyed to the view.
Although engraved in the late 1660's for inclusion in Joan Blaeu's Townbook of Italy, it was never published by the Blaeu firm due to the 1672 fire that effectively put the company out of business. The plate for this view, along with several other Blaeu copperplates, was purchased by Pierre Mortier, who would publish the view in his own town atlas in 1704.
* Van der Krogt 2760.
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