Giovanni De Agostini
Italy in 1945 & 1950, 1951
10 ½ x 8 ½ in (each)
27 x 22 cm (each)
27 x 22 cm (each)
IT3601
Further images
A striking pair of pictorial maps showing Italy as a ruined nation at the end of the Second World War and as a nation of industry, progress, and art in...
A striking pair of pictorial maps showing Italy as a ruined nation at the end of the Second World War and as a nation of industry, progress, and art in 1950 during the post-war period of reconstruction. Italy in 1945 is shown as a nation of ruined buildings, destroyed churches, sinking ships, and desperate women and children. By 1950, these are replaced by new factories, powerplants, roads, electric railways, restored churches, children attending schools, and farmers back in their fields.
These distinctive maps were issued as part of a reduced edition of the celebrated atlas 'Imago Italiae'. It was compiled by the venerable firm of Giovanni de Agostini and his descendants, one of the foremost map publishers in 20th century Italy. The aesthetic of the maps was designed and painted by the notable Russian exiled artist Vsevolod Petrovic Nicouline.
The 'Imago Italiae' was first issued in a folio form in 1939, probably inspired by the work of other notable graphic artists in the pictorial genre such as Macdonald Gill and Lucien Boucher. The collection must have proved successful as a commercial project since new, reduced editions were produced after World War II with additional maps, including Dalmatia and Corsica. The use of English text on some editions suggests that is was also aimed at an international audience, likely to encourage tourism to Italy after the war.
The work as a whole is noted for its charming aesthetic and the gold and silver highlights often present on the maps. Like Gill and Boucher, the de Agostini maps have achieved the distinction of being instantly recognisable for their style and content.
Printed colour. [IT3601]
These distinctive maps were issued as part of a reduced edition of the celebrated atlas 'Imago Italiae'. It was compiled by the venerable firm of Giovanni de Agostini and his descendants, one of the foremost map publishers in 20th century Italy. The aesthetic of the maps was designed and painted by the notable Russian exiled artist Vsevolod Petrovic Nicouline.
The 'Imago Italiae' was first issued in a folio form in 1939, probably inspired by the work of other notable graphic artists in the pictorial genre such as Macdonald Gill and Lucien Boucher. The collection must have proved successful as a commercial project since new, reduced editions were produced after World War II with additional maps, including Dalmatia and Corsica. The use of English text on some editions suggests that is was also aimed at an international audience, likely to encourage tourism to Italy after the war.
The work as a whole is noted for its charming aesthetic and the gold and silver highlights often present on the maps. Like Gill and Boucher, the de Agostini maps have achieved the distinction of being instantly recognisable for their style and content.
Printed colour. [IT3601]
