Beschreibung:

MIOTTE, Pietro. La Cita di Napoli . [Naples]: 1648. Engraved bird's-eye view of Naples on a full Royal sheet, 365 x 542mm. Inset map of Campania, compass rose, the harbour filled with galleons and smaller ships, upper margin decorated with the Virgin Mary in glory flanked by therteen saints on her sides. (Window-mounted, trimmed to plate mark). A strong dark impression of this ambitious and elaborate view of Naples at the time of Masaniello's revolt. The revolt, started by the young Masaniello, who died in July 1647, lasted for about nine months and centred on Neapolitan opposition to the occupying Spanish army sent by Philip IV. The event had major repercussions throughout Europe, setting a precedent for this sort of popular uprising. The Spanish fleet, under the command of Don Juan of Austria, can be seen standing-to next to the Castel dell'Ovo, the bastione del Carmine being in the hands of the people. The view is one of few for which a preparatroy design is known: drawn on heavy paper and prepared for transfer to a copper plate, it survives in the Società Napoletana di Storia Patria. The saints include six bishops, SS. Anatansius, Eufebius, Severus, Agrippinus, Aspren, Januarius, and seven holy men and women, comprising SS. Agnllus, Thomas Aquinas, Blessed Jacobus de March, SS. Patritia, Francesco de Paula, and Dominico, each bearing their respective attributes. Miotte was unknown to Tooley.