Description
Veduta di Napoli dalla parte di Chiaja by I. F. Probst – 1700.
In the field of mapmaking, generally speaking, it is a risk to give an exact “date of birth” to prospective views or panoramas of cities and therefore remains merely an inconclusive speculation. The uncertainties are too great and historical sources are too enveloped in legends.
Nevertheless, we are talking about a category that holds a reserved but not secondary place in artistic-map-making productions, capable of uniting an indubitable aesthetic impact to that of an ever present and elevated accuracy strongly tied to reality.
This is true for the views by Probst. His remarkable and valuable productions are among the most elevated ever made in the field of prospective views of cities.
These works date back to the 18th century and are mostly characterized by a typical title decoration, (the name of the given city), that seems written on parchment. This representation also reveals sharp outlines and a masterfully drawn prospective. Note also the accuracy in the legend found on the lower margin which details the directions to certain important monuments of the city by using precise numeric points of reference.
This graphic homogeneity among the single views does not imply less originality but it actually adds to the unity, as if they were pieces in a unique mosaic.
The indubitable value of this object would have been lost to us today if modern methods of production had been used. And it is for this reason that the “View of Pisa by Probst” has been chosen. Techniques from the 18th century have been used to reproduce this work. Finely engraved plates and an antique manual press were used giving this work its fundamental characteristic that ties it to the past: Engraving. The paper used for engraving is 100% cotton and it undergoes a delicate and important aging process using only natural substances.
