1783 Santini Map of the Kingdom of Slavonia (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia)

Beautiful map of the Kingdom of Slavonia.

This is a beautiful example of Paolo Santini’s 1783 map of the Kingdoms of Slavonia and Syrmia depicting parts of modern day Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as parts of Hungary. The map extends south from Tolna in Hungary to Sarajevo and from Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina east as far as Belgrade in Serbia. The entire region is depicted in extraordinary detailed, offering both topographical and political information, with forests and mountains beautifully rendered in profile.

The Kingdom of Slavonia existed from 1699 to 1868 as a province of the Hubsburg Monarchy and later the Austrian Empire. In 1868 it was united with the Kingdom of Croatia to form the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia.

A beautifully decorative title cartouche appears near the top right quadrant of the map. Considered one of the most detailed maps of the region from the mid-18th century. Issued by Paolo Santini in his Atlas Universel.

Cartographer

Paolo Santini (1729 - June 1793) and his brother Francois [Francesco] Santini (fl. 1776 - 1784) were Italian engravers and map publishers based in Venice. The brothers were born in Venice. They are best known for their Atlas Universel dressé sur les meilleures cartes modernes, a grand atlas presenting state-of-the-art French cartography to a Venetian audience. They drew on the cream of 18th Century French cartographers such as Robert de Vaugondy, Jaillot, De L'Isle, and D'Anville. Their atlas was published by the Remondini house in Venice, who purchased the plates and publishing rights from the Santinis in 1781. Paolo was a priest of the Church of Santa Maria Formosa and a professor of architecture in the public schools of Venice. Moreover, he was an ingenious mechanic and invented a large drill used in the Venetian Arsenal for boring cannons, as well as a cutting instrument designed to verify reliably, under any circumstances, the authenticity of licenses issued to merchant captains. With a zigzag cut made in a single movement of the handle, the original document was divided from its matching counterpart. He appears to have been the primary engraver of the two brothers as well. In addition to maps, he also illustrated and engraved architectural plates. He died in Belluno in June 1793, having traveled there to attend the wedding of a close relative. Francesco is believed to have traveled more broadly, including maintaining an office in Paris, where he purchased many of the maps that would inform the brothers' work. He is known to have associated with several French cartographers of the late 18th century, including Rigobert Bonne. His offices in Paris were located at Rue St. Justine pres de L'Eglise.   Further Details...

Condition

Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Minor toning and foxing. Original platemark visible.

References

OCLC: 605195326.