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Description

Rare map of South America by Paolo Forlani.

The only map of South America from the Lafreri school. The map shows South America, a large Terra del Fuego, all the Caribbean islands and southern tip of Florida, with many rivers all named, the source of River Perla is named Lago.

The topographical image differs strongly from the influential 1562 wall-map of America by Diego Gutierrez. For instance, the form of the Amazon with a series of overemphasized curves has disappeared. But in all and especially in the southern part, the proportions are gravely distorted.

Forlani was perhaps the most prolific of all the Lafreri school mapmakers.

Condition Description
Extended margins, as is normal for Lafreri maps.
Reference
Shirley: World, 106; IM III, [8]; Woodward: Paulo Forlani 1.02: refers to a possible state dated 1570; Wagner (45 & 57) refers to a state dated 1561, which is apparently a 'ghost'.
Paolo Forlani Biography

Paolo Forlani (fl. ca. 1560-1571) was a prolific map engraver based in Venice. All that is known of his life are his surviving maps and prints, of which there are almost 100 (185 with later states included in the total). He also produced a globe and two town books.  It is likely he came from Verona and that he died in Venice in the mid-1570s, possibly of the plague.