A beautifully preserved original eighteenth-century map from Antonio Zatta's celebrated Atlante Novissimo, depicting the historic provinces of Limousin, Quercy and Périgord with fresh hand-colouring and an attractive rural engraved cartouche.

Bibliographic Details

Cartographer: Antonio Zatta (fl. 1757–1797).
Title: Li governi del Limosin, Quercy, e Perigord di nuova projezione.
Publication: From Atlante Novissimo.
Publisher: Antonio Zatta, Venice.
Date: Map dated 1776; printed circa 1779–1784.
Medium: Original copper engraving with contemporary hand-colouring on thick laid, watermarked paper.
Features: Decorative engraved rural cartouche incorporating a farmstead and publishing details, original outline hand-colouring, numbered "C. III." upper right, blank verso, central fold as issued.
Size: Plate approximately 40.5 × 31.2 cm; sheet approximately 52.3 × 38.5 cm.

Condition

Near Fine condition. A particularly attractive example with only very light age-toning. A few light handling marks and isolated foxing spots occur along the upper margin, well outside the engraved plate. A couple of small stains are present on the verso only and are not visible from the map side. Original centre fold as issued. Please examine the gallery photographs carefully or request a more detailed condition report.

Description

A finely engraved original map by the distinguished Venetian cartographer Antonio Zatta, depicting the historic south-western French provinces of Limousin, Quercy and Périgord. Rich in geographical detail, the map records towns, rivers, roads and provincial boundaries across one of France's most historic rural regions during the final decades of the Ancien Régime.

Issued as part of Zatta's magnificent Atlante Novissimo, the engraving combines cartographic precision with exceptional decorative appeal. Particularly charming is the finely engraved pastoral cartouche in the lower left corner, incorporating a rustic farm scene together with the cartographer's publishing details. The original contemporary hand-colouring remains remarkably fresh, lending clarity and elegance to the provincial boundaries.

Published in Venice between 1779 and 1784, Atlante Novissimo stands among the great decorative atlases of the eighteenth century. Antonio Zatta's beautifully balanced engravings, refined colouring and up-to-date geographical information made the atlas one of the finest cartographic achievements of Enlightenment Europe, and his maps continue to be highly sought after by collectors today.

This example survives in particularly pleasing condition, retaining crisp engraving, generous margins and attractive contemporary colouring. It would make an excellent acquisition for collectors of antique maps, French regional history or decorative eighteenth-century engravings, and displays beautifully when framed.

Notes

A handsome original hand-coloured map by one of Italy's leading eighteenth-century cartographers. Combining decorative engraving, historical importance and excellent preservation, it is a fine example from the celebrated Atlante Novissimo.