Principato citra olim Picentia.

Title

Principato citra olim Picentia.

Map shows Potenza in Campania with Naples, Salerno, Torre, Policastro Bussentino, Marsico Nuovo, Campagna, Muro Lucano and many more. Furthermore, two magnificent cartouches, a compass rose and two sailing ships.

ca. 1640

Artist

Blaeu (1571-1638)

Joan Guilliemus Blaeu was the eldest son of Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638), and was probably born in Alkmaar in the province of Noord-Holland in the final years of the 16th century. He was brought up in Amsterdam, and studied law at the University of Leiden before going into partnership with his father in the 1630s. Although his father Willem had cartographic interests, having studied under the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe and having manufactured globes and instruments, his primary business was as a printer. It was under the control of Joan that the Blaeu printing press achieved lasting fame by moving towards the printing of maps and expanding to become the largest printing press in Europe in the 17th century. By the 1660s the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (or Atlas Maior as it had became known by this time) had expanded to between 9 and 12 volumes, depending on the language. With over 3,000 text pages and approximately 600 maps, it was the most expensive book money could buy in the later 17th century. The translation of the text from Latin into Dutch, English, German, French, and Spanish for several volumes created enormous work for those involved in typography and letterpress activities. It is estimated that over 80 men must have been employed full-time in the Blaeu printing house in Bloemgracht, not including engravers who worked elsewhere, with over 15 printing presses running simultaneously, and in 1667 a second press was acquired at Gravenstraat. At the same time as producing the Atlas Maior, Blaeu was also publishing town plans of Italy, maps for globes, and other volumes. At its peak the Blaeu press managed to produce over 1 million impressions from 1,000 copper plates within four years.

Historical Description

The original Greek settlement was called Neapolis ("New City"). It later came under Roman rule. From the Late Middle Ages until the 18th century, Naples was one of the largest cities in Europe. Originally founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, Neapolis became a cultural center with strong Greek influence, and during Roman times it was a popular retreat for wealthy Romans. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Naples became part of the Byzantine Empire and later developed into a relatively independent Duchy of Naples. In the 12th century, it was conquered by the Normans and became part of the Kingdom of Sicily, which later split into the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily. From the 16th century, Naples was a key city under Spanish rule. It was later governed by the Bourbons and became the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In 1861, Naples became part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy during the process of Italian unification (Risorgimento). Before that, it was one of Europe's most important and culturally rich cities.