Porcacchi’s Map of the Gulf of Lepanto

Il Sito de Curzolari (and Gulf of Lepanto)

This map of the gulf of Lepanto was engraved by Girolamo Porro and is set in descriptive Italian text with a woodcut headpiece and historiated initial.

It is from L’Isole piu famose del Mondo, one of the most beautifully engraved of the Italian Isolaria or Island books.

The battle of Lepanto, 1571, was the first great defeat of the Turkish navy, and marked the beginning of the end of Ottoman naval supremacy.

Condition & Materials

Copper engraving, 10.8 x 14.7 cm, recent hand-colour.