England, Map of Malta's Siege. LAFRERI - ORLANDI. Ultimo disegno delli forti di Malta venuto nuovamente.

LAFRERI, Antonio. Ultimo disegno delli forti di Malta venuto nuovamente.

Roma, Giovanni Orlandi, 1602

 

Etching on copper with burin retouching. 352x497 mm. Margins. Fourth of four states. Box at the top right with title and long inscription. Below the text: “Ioannes Orlandi formis romae 1602 / Ant. Lafreri Romae formis 1565 de mese Augusti”. Very nice specimen.

 

Very rare plate from Lafreri depicting Malta. It showing the Great Siege of Malta which took place in 1565 when the Ottoman Empire invaded the island, then held by the Knights Hospitaller.

The Knights won the siege, one of the bloodiest and most fiercely contested in history, and one which became one of the most celebrated events in sixteenth century Europe.

Voltaire said, "Nothing is more well known than the siege of Malta," and it unquestionably put an end to the European perception of Ottoman invincibility and marked a new phase in Spanish domination of the Mediterranean.

In the inscription at the top right, we read: “The newly arrived latest design of Malta's fortifications. In it, you can see the Turkish artillery positioned at various locations. Furthermore, it shows the place where the Turks transported Boats from Land to Sea in order to launch a Sudden assault on San Michele, and how they were subsequently Sunk by our most saintly Knights and soldiers. And you can also See the port of Marza musetto, where the Turkish Army is today, indicated by the letter 'A'. And the whole scene is not as refined as it should be, Owing to the turbulent times, which do not allow those who are in Malta (who sent the design) to do things with that Convenience that is sought. And all that is done is done so that the noble souls Continuously have new Things: Made by Joannes Orlandi in Rome 1602 Ant. Made by Ant. Lafreri in Rome in the month of August 1565”.

The first state of the map, printed in August 1565, depicts an advanced stage of the siege, with events dating back to mid-July. A second state was published shortly thereafter, also in August, recognizable by some alterations in Dockyard Creek. Through Claudio Duchetti and his heirs, the matrix was purchased by Giovanni Orlandi, who reprinted it in 1602, adding his imprint "Ioannes Orlandi formis romae 1602" to the cartouche. Our copy is the fourth of four states, completely retouched with a burin, with no further variations.

 

Almagià 1948: 106; Bella, Novacco 1986: n° 79; Bifolco, Ronca 2018: III, 1766; Mason, Roger, and Pamela Willis. Maps of Malta in the Museum and Library of the Order of St John: A Short Catalogue. St. John Supplies Department, 1989, Page 8, Catalogue no. 3.