c. 1760 – G. B. Probst – Bologna
£1,254.00
Title: “BOLOGNA”
Description:
A large and rare panorama of Bologna, nearly 1.1 metres wide and printed from two plates joined together. It was drawn by Friedrich Bernhard Werner and published in Augsburg by Georg Balthasar Probst, “heir of Jeremias Wolff”, whose firm produced the best-known series of large city prospects of the 18th century.
The city is seen from the north across the gardens and fields outside its walls, with the Apennine hills rising behind it. In the centre stand the Two Towers, the leaning Garisenda and the tall Asinelli, with San Petronio, the cathedral of San Pietro and the tower of the Palazzo Pubblico nearby. On the hills above the city are San Michele in Bosco and, on the far right, the sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, reached by its long arcaded portico climbing the hillside. The portico had only recently been completed, in 1739. Among the 68 numbered sites are the observatory (the Specola of the Istituto delle Scienze), the city gates, and the rivers Reno and Aposa. In the foreground, figures stroll and ride along the roads.
The key is given twice: in German in two panels at the top and in Italian in the lower margin. Two coats of arms flank the title banner. On the left are the papal arms, with the tiara and keys, which belong to Benedict XIV (Prospero Lambertini, pope 1740–1758), himself a native of Bologna. On the right are the arms of the city of Bologna.
Friedrich Bernhard Werner (1690–1776) was a Silesian engineer, draughtsman and traveller. He drew almost a hundred city panoramas for Augsburg publishers and visited Italy in 1730 to sketch its cities. The plates belonged to the firm of Jeremias Wolff (1663–1724), Augsburg’s leading print publisher. After the death of his son-in-law Johann Balthasar Probst in 1750, the plates were divided among the heirs, and each issued the views under his own name. This example carries the imprint of Georg Balthasar Probst (1732–1801), Wolff’s grandson. It also bears the series number 162, the imperial privilege (“Cum Gratia et Privilegio Sac. Caes. Majestatis”) and the signature “F. B. Werner delin.”
Publisher: Georg Balthasar Probst (1732–1801), Augsburg
Artist: Friedrich Bernhard Werner (1690–1776)
Sheet size: 110,3 x 40,0 cm
Year: c. 1760
Technique: copper engraving
Condition:
Reasonable. Two sheets joined as issued. Some damage and small losses professionally repaired. Laid down on archival paper. Light toning, creases and some spotting.
This is an original antique map published circa 1760 and NOT a modern copy or reprint
On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity
In stock
