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Description

Unique mid-16th century etching and/or manuscript plan of the area of Tunis, based upon an engraved view by Agostino Musi in 1535.

Musi's view was published in Rome to illustrate the conquest of Tunis by a Christian Fleet under the Command of Emperor Charles V.

Tunis was one of the most important naval bases of the Ottoman Empire in the western Mediterranean. Oriented with south at the top, this map provides an excellent overview of Tunis and its harbor and bay, with the fort of La Golette at the narrow point in the bay. The ruins of ancient Carthage are noted, as are the ancient aqueducts.

The depictions of war ships and military encampments are allegorical in nature, as there were no known battles fought in Tunis in this period.

Agostino Musi, also known as Agostino Veneziano (Venice, 1490 - Rome, 1540), was an Italian engraver of the Renaissance. Musi is known to have produced a view of Tunis, which is substantially similar to the present view and is signed "1535 AV" under the compass at the upper right corner. Musi's engraving includes an explanation in Latin. The present view includes an explanation in French which is pasted on to the view and appears to be copied from the original of 1560. The style of the text is similar to Balthasar Jenichen (Nuremberg) or Matthias Zundt (Basel).

Musi's view was later copied by Forlani, Zaltieri and Duchetti in the later part of the 16th century and re-issued by Orlandi in 1602. This view is clearly copied from the original Musi as it includes many details omitted by the later Lafreri mapmakers listed above.

Condition Description
Printed title, pasted down on larger plate. Original hand color. The work is either an etching or a combination of manuscript and etching.