Views of Europe · 17th century
€ 440
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Overall good condition. Strong hand coloring with fresh tones. Light general age toning and minor foxing in the margins, typical for 18th-century paper.
Hand-Colored View of Edinburgh, Italy, c.1700 – “Edenburgo Metropoli”
This finely hand-colored engraving shows a panoramic view of Edinburgh, titled in Italian “Edenburgo Metropoli della Scozia”, translating to “Edinburgh, Metropolis of Scotland.” The city is depicted with remarkable clarity, featuring its prominent castle, clustered buildings, and surrounding hills and plains. The composition is framed by a decorative border and crowned with the Edinburgh coat of arms, emphasizing its status as the capital of Scotland.
The print is characteristic of Italian city views produced in the late 17th to early 18th century. Its style, coloring, and layout suggest it is likely from the series published by Pietro Bertelli (active late 16th – early 17th century) or his successors such as Giuseppe Rosaccio, both known for similar engravings of European cities with Italian titles. However, given the hand coloring and paper type, another possibility is the later Italian publishers of the early 1700s who reproduced earlier Bertelli plates for the market of armchair travellers and collectors.
This type of city view served both decorative and educational purposes, presenting the grandeur and strategic location of major cities to European audiences. Edinburgh here is shown from an elevated perspective, revealing the castle rock, the old town's dense urban layout, and surrounding landscapes with distant hills and waters, likely indicating the Firth of Forth.
Such engravings are increasingly sought after by collectors of antique maps, city views, and Grand Tour memorabilia. They make impactful interior pieces for homes, offices, or libraries, especially when displayed alongside other European city views from the same era.
Condition Report:
Overall good condition. Strong hand coloring with fresh tones. Light general age toning and minor foxing in the margins, typical for 18th-century paper. Some faint handling marks and slight edge wear, not affecting the printed area. No tears or repairs visible. Sheet retains wide margins, ideal for framing.
Framing Tip:
To enhance its historic character, consider framing with an antique gold leaf or dark wood frame and a neutral archival mat with a thin gold inner border. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the vibrant hand coloring.
