MERIAN, Matthaeus (1593–1650) – VALLETTA CITTA NOVA DI MALTA – 1638

Description

MERIAN, Matthaeus (1593–1650) – 1638

Title of Map: VALLETTA / CITTA NOVA / DI / MALTA

Title: 1638 – Neuwe / ARCHONTO- / LOGIA / COSMICA, ….

1688 – Topographia Italiae, …

Place: Frankfurt

Plate size: 281 x 360 mm

Verso: blank

Notes: This copper engraving was copied from that by dell’Antella, and in fact the map still shows the arms of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt. Matthaeus Merian (1593–1650) was a notable Swiss topographical engraver and publisher born in Basel. He learned copperplate engraving in Zurich, though he studied later in such cities as Strasbourg, Nancy and Paris. He returned to Basel in 1615, moving to Frankfurt 1616. There he worked for Johann Theodor de Bry, the celebrated publisher whose daughter, Maria Magdalena, he married in 1617. After the death of Matthaeus Merian the Elder, his business was carried on by his two sons Mathias and Caspar.