Ptolemy’s Map of Italy – FREE

Una straordinaria tavola cartografica dell’Italia, tratta dalla Cosmography di Claudio Tolomeo e ispirata a uno dei più affascinanti testimoni della tradizione geografica rinascimentale. Con i suoi mari in blu profondo, i profili costieri della penisola, la Sardegna, l’Adriatico e la cornice dorata della tavola originaria, questa carta restituisce il fascino di una visione dell’Italia in cui scienza, arte e immaginazione convivono in perfetto equilibrio.

Available in a frameless “Free” edition, this version is designed for those who wish to receive the artwork in its most essential and versatile form, giving them the freedom to choose the display option that best suits their taste and space.

The manuscript from which it is taken

This plate is taken from the manuscript Pluteo 30.3, housed at the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence. The codex belongs to the 15th-century Ptolemaic tradition, attributable to Niccolò Germanico, in the Latin translation from the Greek by Iacopo Angeli da Scarperia, which was published under the title Cosmography.

This is not merely a decorative image, but a map rooted in a specific tradition of manuscript and scientific scholarship. In his Geography, Ptolemy organized the inhabited world using coordinates, latitudes, and longitudes, offering one of the most sophisticated expressions of geographical knowledge in the ancient world. In this map, that vision focuses on Italy, depicted as a geographical, cultural, and symbolic space at the heart of the Mediterranean.

Description

We are not looking at Ptolemy’s Map of Italy, which depicts the Italian peninsula within the framework of the Ptolemaic geographical tradition. It is not a modern view, nor is it a map constructed according to our contemporary perspective; rather, it is a form of ancient knowledge in which the territory is measured, organized, and transformed into an image.

The charm of this work lies in its balance between rigor and wonder. Italy stretches between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, accompanied by Latin place names, mountain ranges, islands, and coastlines that lend the whole a cultured, authoritative, and instantly recognizable presence. The exquisite gold border helps make the map not only a testament to cartographic tradition but also a visually striking object.

This edition is available in its unframed version. This option is designed for those who wish to enjoy the artwork in its most unencumbered and personal form: ready to be displayed as is, or later enhanced with a frame chosen to suit your taste, your space, and your own sense of beauty.

Designed for collectors, scholars, bibliophiles, and lovers of antique cartography, Ptolemy’s Map of Italy is ideal for a private library, a professional office, a reception area, or a collection dedicated to the great masterpieces of European history. It does more than just decorate—it tells a story.

What are you buying?

• Ptolemy’s Map of Italy
• Format 59 x 43 cm
• A numbered copy from a limited edition of 149 copies
• Free Edition frameless
• Certificate of authenticity / colophon with the work’s number
• Exclusive access to the Antiquus reserved area with in-depth digital content

Your seal

Each piece is part of a limited, numbered edition of 149 copies. It is not merely a decorative print, but a collectible item that is uniquely identifiable, carefully selected, and intended for a select few.

This version comes unframed, giving you complete freedom in how you display it: you can keep it as is or choose a frame later that best suits your space, your taste, and your idea of elegance.

Your card. Your number. Your display choice.

Why choose the Free Edition

The frameless Free edition is ideal for those who want:

• choose the most suitable frame on your own
• coordinate the artwork with classic or contemporary furnishings
• go to your trusted framer
• create a customized display solution
• buy the board in its most basic and versatile form

Warranties Antiquus

Your purchase includes:

• 60-month warranty
• 30-day right of withdrawal

Because a fine piece of work must offer not only charm and cultural value, but also protection and peace of mind over time.

A little invitation to play

Look for your region, trace the outline of the peninsula, spot the Adriatic Sea, and marvel at how Italy was imagined and depicted in an era before satellites, aerial photographs, or digital maps existed. This, too, is the charm of this map: it reminds us that, before absolute precision, there were intelligence, observation, and wonder.

Conclusion

Ptolemy’s Map of Italy invites you to contemplate Italy through the lens of ancient tradition. It is a work that combines visual impact, historical memory, and cultural prestige.
In this Gold Edition, which includes a frame, the map is presented in its most complete and striking form, ready to make a bold statement in your space. It is not merely a purchase, but a choice that reflects taste, culture, and identity.

FAQ – Ptolemy’s Map of Italy

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