La Città di Varsavia - Salmon 1740-60

📜 Description
Original copperplate engraved city view depicting the city of Warsaw, published in Venice between 1740 and 1760 within Thomas Salmon’s geographical work “Lo stato presente di tutti i paesi e popoli del mondo”. This antique print presents the Polish capital through an elevated panoramic perspective consistent with the topographical and descriptive publishing production of the 18th century, emphasizing the fortified urban profile, the river crossed by boats and wooden bridges, the prominent religious architecture, and the surrounding natural landscape. The composition develops through a wide and scenic view in which the city rises above the riverbank, while the foreground is animated by vegetation, small rural buildings and river activity contributing to the narrative construction of the image. The engraved inscription placed below the view, “Città di Varsavia”, clearly identifies the subject and confirms the geographical and educational purpose of the plate, conceived to accompany historical and territorial descriptions of the principal European urban centers. The engraved line appears clear and well structured, while the contemporary hand-coloring enhances the readability of the urban and natural landscape without altering the documentary character of the work. The plate represents a significant iconographic testimony to the city of Warsaw during the early modern period and to the diffusion of illustrated geographical culture in Venetian publishing of the 18th century.

📚 Historical-Artistic Note
Thomas Salmon was among the authors active in 18th-century geographical and descriptive literature, renowned for works dedicated to the historical, political and territorial representation of countries and cities throughout the world. The Venetian edition published by the Albrizzi family contributed to the European circulation of richly illustrated geographical collections intended for a cultivated audience interested in the knowledge of important international urban centers. This engraving belongs to the series of city views included within the encyclopedic work and reflects the educational and documentary character of Venetian publishing production during the Enlightenment period.

🧾 Technical Details
Type: Engraved city view
Author / Maker: Thomas Salmon
Publisher / Printer: Albrizzi
Place: Venice
Period: 1740–1760
Material: Paper
Technique: Copperplate etching on copper
Coloring: Contemporary hand-coloring
Subject / Title: “Città di Varsavia”
Edition / Print Run: From “Lo stato presente di tutti i paesi e popoli del mondo”
Dimensions: Sheet approx. 12 x 18 cm; engraved area approx. 10 x 16 cm

🔍 Condition Report
Sheet in excellent overall condition with light and normal signs of age consistent with period and use. Contemporary hand-coloring well preserved. Engraved surface well impressed and clearly legible. Blank verso.