Plan de la place de Corfu acec ses invirons, as siegee par le insideles, tranchee ouverte le 25me de Juillet jusqu´au 22me d´Aout……

Title

Plan de la place de Corfu acec ses invirons, as siegee par le insideles, tranchee ouverte le 25me de Juillet jusqu´au 22me d´Aout……

Description

Splendid map showing the city plan of the harbour of Corfu, with cartouche, compass rose, index, border with four cartouches with profiles of the city wall.

dated 1716

Artist

Homann (1664-1724)

Johann Babtiste Homann (1664-1724), Nuremberg, was born in Oberkammlach, the Electorate of Bavaria. Although educated at a Jesuit school, and preparing for an ecclesiastical career, he eventually converted to Protestantism and from 1687 worked as a civil law notary in Nuremberg. He soon turned to engraving and cartography; in 1702 he founded his own publishing house. Homann acquired renown as a leading German cartographer, and in 1715 was appointed Imperial Geographer by Emperor Charles VI. Giving such privileges to individuals was an added right that the Holy Roman Emperor enjoyed. In the same year he was also named a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin. Of particular significance to cartography were the imperial printing privileges (Latin: privilegia impressoria). These protected for a time the authors in all scientific fields such as printers, copper engravers, map makers and publishers. They were also very important as a recommendation for potential customers. In 1716 Homann published his masterpiece Grosser Atlas ueber die ganze Welt (Grand Atlas of all the World). Numerous maps were drawn up in cooperation with the engraver Christoph Weigel the Elder, who also published Siebmachers Wappenbuch. Homann died in Nuremberg. He was succeeded by the Homann heirs company, which was in business until 1848. The company was known as Homann Erben, Homanniani Heredes, or Heritiers de Homann abroad.

Historical Description

Greek settlers from Eretria founded in the 8th century BC. A first colony. From 395 onwards, Corfu belonged to the Eastern Roman Empire. The island was conquered by the Saracens and in the 11th century by the Norman Duke Robert Guiscard. As a result of the 4th crusade, Corfu came under the rule of the despot of Epiros after 1204. As the dowry of Helena of Epirus, the island had been in Manfred's possession in Sicily in 1258. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, Corfu's history was marked by conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over mainland Greece and repeatedly tried to conquer and hold the Ionian Islands. The Venetians (Republic of Venice) ordered the removal of the vineyards and the planting of olive trees. In 1716, the Ottoman siege of the island's capital was lifted by the Venetian army under Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg and the last attempt to conquer the island was finally repelled. After the end of the Republic of Venice in 1797, France (under Napoleon) took possession of the Ionian Islands and Corfu as the Corcyre department. For a short time, from 1798 to 1807, Corfu was a Russian protectorate. This was followed by another French period until 1814. In 1815 (Congress of Vienna), Corfu became part of the Republic of the Ionian Islands under British protectorate. After a vote in parliament, the Ionian Islands joined the Greek state in 1864, which had been independent since 1830 and to which they have belonged since.