1946 Agostini Pictorial Map of Italy

A vibrant pictorial map of Italy produced in the wake of World War II. This 1946 maps was drawn by Vsevolode Nicouline and published by Giovanni De Agostini. Its intricate drawings bring to life the local culture, economy, and history of Italy.

A Closer Look

Taking in the entire Italian Peninsula plus adjoining islands (Sicily, Sardinia, etc.) and portions of neighboring countries, this richly illustrated pictorial map highlights local characteristics and history. The administrative regions (Regioni) of Italy are shaded for easy distinction. Within the regions, local products, landmarks, and leisure activities are represented, along with references to the dates of important historical events, including battles during the Risorgimento and the First World War. Historical figures also make an appearance, including Thomas Aquinas and the polymath Roger Joseph Boscovich, the latter being one of several symbols and allusions to the Jesuits that appear throughout. These motifs extend to the seas, where ships of various sizes and historical eras appear, along with ornate text in the style of early modern engraved maps.

Publication History and Census

Though no publication information is presented, the map appears in the style of those drawn by Vsevolode Nicouline and published by Giovanni de Agostini in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with some features (such as the compass rose and illustration of Poseidon) matching exactly with smaller-scale maps from the work Italia Viva published in 1941. The present map appears to have been published in 1946 by Agostini, in conjunction with the firm Italgeo, with a second edition published in 1960 as part of an advertisement for the food company Motta. We are aware of it appearing on the market only once in recent years, and it is only noted among the institutional holdings of the Library of Congress, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan.