Switzerland, by Antonio Zatta. 1779-1785
Antonio Zatta (ca. 1722-1804)
Antonio Zatta was an influential Italian cartographer and publisher based in Venice during the 18th century. As one of the last great mapmakers of the Italian Enlightenment, Zatta played a crucial role in preserving and advancing the art of cartography at a time when Venice's status as a centre for mapmaking was in decline.
Little is known about his early life, but Zatta established himself as a prolific publisher and printer, producing a wide range of works including atlases, city plans, and historical maps. His most celebrated achievement is the Atlante Novissimo, published between 1775 and 1785. This monumental four-volume atlas is considered one of the finest Italian cartographic productions of its time. It combined contemporary geographical knowledge with elegant artistry, featuring detailed hand-coloured maps, elaborate title cartouches, and decorative embellishments characteristic of the late Baroque style.
Zatta’s work is notable for incorporating the latest geographical discoveries alongside classical and historical information, reflecting the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, exploration, and empirical knowledge. He published maps covering all parts of the known world, including detailed representations of Europe, the Americas, and Asia, often updating older cartographic models with new data from explorers and diplomats.
Among his notable contributions is one of the earliest printed maps depicting the newly independent United States after the American Revolutionary War. Zatta's 1778 map, "Gli Stati Uniti della America Settentrionale," adapted English and French sources, marking a significant moment in the cartographic recognition of the United States.
Antonio Zatta's legacy endures through the beauty and precision of his maps, which continue to be prized by collectors and historians alike for their artistic merit and historical value. His works offer a window into the geographical understanding and visual culture of the 18th century, securing his place among the notable figures of cartographic history.
L'Elvezia divisa ne suoi tredici cantoni e suoi Alleati
Item Number: 31893 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Switzerland
Switzerland, by Antonio Zatta.
Title: L'Elvezia divisa ne suoi tredici cantoni e suoi Alleati
di nuova Projezione.
Venezia 1781 | Presso Antonio Zatta.
Con Privilegio dell' Eccmo Senato.
G. Zuliani inc. G Pitteri scr.
Engraver: Giuliano Zuliani & Giovanni Pitteri.
Date of the first edition: 1779-1785.
Date of this map: 1779-1785.
Date on map: 1781.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 315 x 410mm (12½ x 16¼ inches).
Sheet size: 385 x 505mm (15¼ x 20 inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.
From: Atlante novissimo, illustrato ed accresciuto sulle osservazioni, e scoperte fatte dai più celebri e più recenti geografi, che ora per la prima volta si produce. Venice, Antonio Zatta, 1779-1785.
Antonio Zatta (ca. 1722-1804)
Antonio Zatta was an influential Italian cartographer and publisher based in Venice during the 18th century. As one of the last great mapmakers of the Italian Enlightenment, Zatta played a crucial role in preserving and advancing the art of cartography at a time when Venice's status as a centre for mapmaking was in decline.
Little is known about his early life, but Zatta established himself as a prolific publisher and printer, producing a wide range of works including atlases, city plans, and historical maps. His most celebrated achievement is the Atlante Novissimo, published between 1775 and 1785. This monumental four-volume atlas is considered one of the finest Italian cartographic productions of its time. It combined contemporary geographical knowledge with elegant artistry, featuring detailed hand-coloured maps, elaborate title cartouches, and decorative embellishments characteristic of the late Baroque style.
Zatta’s work is notable for incorporating the latest geographical discoveries alongside classical and historical information, reflecting the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, exploration, and empirical knowledge. He published maps covering all parts of the known world, including detailed representations of Europe, the Americas, and Asia, often updating older cartographic models with new data from explorers and diplomats.
Among his notable contributions is one of the earliest printed maps depicting the newly independent United States after the American Revolutionary War. Zatta's 1778 map, "Gli Stati Uniti della America Settentrionale," adapted English and French sources, marking a significant moment in the cartographic recognition of the United States.
Antonio Zatta's legacy endures through the beauty and precision of his maps, which continue to be prized by collectors and historians alike for their artistic merit and historical value. His works offer a window into the geographical understanding and visual culture of the 18th century, securing his place among the notable figures of cartographic history.
Related items
Helvetiae Descriptio Aegidio Tschudo Auct. 1598
Switzerland, by Abraham Ortelius.
[Item number: 3868]
Die erst Tafel innhaltend das Schweytzerlandt mit den anstossenden Ländern. 1588
Switzerland by Sebastian Münster.
[Item number: 14631]
Helvetia Prima Rheni et V Nova Tabula. 1542
Switzerland by Sebastian Munster.
[Item number: 14925]
Exactissima Helvetiae Rhaetiae, Valesiae ... 1683-1696
Switzerland, by Visscher N.
[Item number: 18692]
Helvetia Tredecim Statibus Liberis quos Cantones vocant Composita ... c. 1757.
Switzerland, by Homann Heirs.
[Item number: 22480]
Helvetiae Descriptio Aegidio Tschudo Auct. 1612
Switzerland, by Ortelius A.
[Item number: 22945]
Helvetiae Descriptio Aegidio Tschudo Auct. 1579
SWITZERLAND by Abraham Ortelius
[Item number: 23164]
Novissima et Acuratissima Helvetiae, Rhaetiae, Valesiae et Partis Sabaudiae Tabula 1756
Antique map of Switzerland by Ottens R. & J.
[Item number: 23506]
Carte de la Souverainete de Neuchatel et Vallangin ... 1721-41
Switzerland - Lake of Neuchâtel by Guillaume Delisle, published by Covens & Mortier.
[Item number: 23877]
Exactissima Helvetiae Rhaetiae, Valesiae C. terorumq Confoederatorum ut et finitimorum Populorum Regionum Tabula. c. 1680
Switzerland by Nicolaas Visscher.
[Item number: 24384]
Nova Helvetiae, Foederatarumque cum ea, nec non Subditarum Regionum Tabula ... 1730
Switzerland by Guillaume Delisle, published by Covens & Mortier.
[Item number: 25699]
La Suisse. 1713
Switzerland, by Pieter Van der Aa.
[Item number: 26174]
Helvetia cum finitimis regionibus confoederatis. 1641
Switzerland, by Henricus Hondius
[Item number: 26292]
La Suisse Divisee en ses Treize Cantons et ses Allies. 1776-79
Switzerland, by Francesco Santini.
[Item number: 26957]
Zurichgow. [Lettering in lower right quadrant.] 1628.
Northern Switzerland, by Gerard Mercator.
[Item number: 27450]
Helvetia cum finitimis regionibus confoederatis. 1623
Switzerland, by Gerard Mercator.
[Item number: 27884]
Nova Helvetiae Tabula. c. 1634
Switzerland, by Jodocus Hondius.
[Item number: 28003]
Ta . Here . Helve. [From verso] 1525
Switzerland by Lorenz Fries.
[Item number: 28199]
Helvetia Divisa in Tredicem Cantones sive Regiones, Bernam nempe Fruburgum, Solodurum, Basileam, Schafhusiam; Tigurum et Lucernam, cum foederatis Regionibus, numirum Comitatu Neoburgensi, urbe Biela, Resp. Genevensi Abbatia S. Galleni et Vallesia. c. 1702
Switzerland by Gerard & Leonard Valck.
[Item number: 28270]
Helvetiae Rhetiae & Valesiae cum omnibus finitimis regionibus Tabula Vulgo Schweitzerland. c. 1678
Switzerland by Johannes Janssonius.
[Item number: 28538]
Tabula Rhaetiae et Vindeliciae. 1571
Adriatic Sea by Münster S.
[Item number: 29054]
Carte Générale des treize Cantons Suisse, et des différents Etats de leur Dépendance; ainsi que la pluspart des Etats qui leur sont voisins et aliez; avec des tables pour l'intelligence de l'Histoire. 1708
Switzerlandx, by Zacharias Châtelain.
[Item number: 29444]
La Suisse divisée en ses Treze Cantons, Ses Alliez & Ses Sujets, c. 1709
Switzerland by Hubert Jaillot, published by Pierre Mortier.
[Item number: 29566]
Helvetia cum finitimis Regionibus confoederatis. 1643
Switzerland by Willem Blaeu.
[Item number: 29928]
[No title] c. 1630-1650
Northern Switzerland by Gerard Mercator.
[Item number: 30846]
Early Tavernier with an exclusive text beneath. RARE!
Charte de la Suisse, de la Rhetie, ou des Grisons, de la Valtelin, du Valay, c. 1630-1650
Switzerland by Melchior Tavernier.
[Item number: 30851]
Very rare.
Raetiae veteris et exterae pars Orientalis, qua Comitatus Tyrolis cum Regionibus finitimis, continetur. 1616
Switzerland - Eastern Rhaetia by Matthias Hirtzgarter.
[Item number: 31190]
Helvetia cum finitimis regionibus confoederatis. c. 1610-1650
Switzerland, by Gerard Mercator.
[Item number: 31211]
Zurichou. 1607
Switzerland (North) by Gerard Mercator, published by Jodocus Hondius.
[Item number: 31470]
Das Wiflispurgergou. 1607
Avenches (Switzerland) by Gerard Mercator, published by Jodocus Hondius.
[Item number: 31471]
Zurichgow. 1618
Switzerland (North) by Petrus Bertius, published by Jodocus Hondius II.
[Item number: 31581]
Helvetia. 1618
Switzerland by Petrus Bertius, published by Jodocus Hondius II.
[Item number: 31585]