Antique Print of Deshima by Albrizzi (1738)

Description: Antique print titled 'Isoletta Desima abittata Dagli Olandesi nel Giappone secondo la delineazione del Sigr. Voogt'. Bird's-eye view of Deshima (or Dejima) copied from a manuscript by Voogt, who was second-in-command on Deshima in 1713. The island is viewed from the landside, depicting the developments of the new warehouses and the garden as well as the famous 'speelhuis' which contained a billiard table and musical instruments on the upper floor and which proved such an attraction to the local daimyos and officials. This place was an important trading post for the V.O.C. This print originates from 'Lo stato presente di tutti i paesi e popoli del mondo (..)' by Thomas Salmon.

Artists and Engravers: Published by G. Albrizzi. Giambattista (Giovanni Battista) Albrizzi was the publisher of several illustrated books and maps. Among them a monumental edition of Gerusalemme liberata (1745) in two volumes, prepared in a collaboration with Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (1683-1754). The Albrizzi's family was active in book publishing and selling in Venice for some 150 years.