LUCINI, Anton Francesco – IL SOCCORSO PICCOLO AL BORGO DI NOTTE A DI V DI LVGLIO

LUCINI, Anton Francesco (1610-c1661) – F.° VIII

Title of Map: IL SOCCORSO PICCOLO AL BORGO DI NOTTE A DI V DI LVGLIO

Dist./ Features: The arrival of the Little Relief

Engraver: Anton Francesco Lucini

Title: DISEGNI / DELLA GVERRA

Publisher: Nicolò Allegri

Place: Rome Year: 1631

Engraving size: 304 (345 including text) x 434 mm

Verso: blank

Printing method: copper engraving

Description: This engraving depicts the arrival in the “Borgo” at night time of a small relief detachment of some 750 men (including 40 knights) dispatched from Sicily by the Spanish Viceroy, who at the time was strenously collecting a much larger force to assist the Knights. The arrival in Malta of this small body of men eluding the Ottomen fleet patrolling the channel between Malta and Sicily, and the incredible story how it slipped through the enemy forces camped around the “Borgo-Isola” fortified enclave , is a veritable saga that speaks volumes about the intelligence network maintained by Grand Master de la Vallette even at the height of the conflict.