Cavallini, Giovanni Battista

Three vellum sheets (each approximately 500 x 620mm), showing Mediterranean coastlines, together with a smaller fourth sheet with compass rose, title, and date

Some evidence of water-staining
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Giovanni Battista Cavallini (fl. 1635-1656) was a portolan chart maker working in Livorno. Although several examples of his charts and atlases survive, we know little to nothing about his life. In 1636, Cavallini put his name to an atlas also signed by the renowned portolan chart maker Joan Oliva, who had settled in the city in 1616. This joint signing of charts has generally been interpreted as the master (in this case Oliva) introducing his successor. Cavallini would follow this convention when, in 1654, he jointly signed an atlas with one Pietro Cavallini, who may be presumed to be his son.

The present chart, dated 1641, is from earlier on in Cavallini’s career and depicts the Mediterranean over three large pieces of vellum. Rhumb lines criss cross the chart, radiating from 28 elaborate compass roses. The names of the continents - Europe, Africa, and Asia - appear in banderoles; provinces anti-clockwise from the Pillars of Hercules. Africa: Fessa; Orano; Algeri; Tremisen; Constanina; Tunesi; Tripoli; Misurata; Libia; Barcha; Nubia; Alesandria; Egitto. Asia: Suria; Caramania; Natolia; Troia. Europe: Romania; Morea; Grecia; Albania; Dalmatia; Bolena; Croatia; Istria; Friuli; Calabria; Cicilia; Napoli; Roma; Toscana; Ferrara; Sardignia; Corsica; Liguria; Piemonte; Provenza; Linguadoca; Catalognia; Valenzia; Murcia; Granada; and Andaluzia. Also depicted on the chart are ten men, each shown in their native dress. The gentleman near Ferrara is shown in a full suit of armour; wild animals are shown including elephants, and lions, together with palm trees and the site of Calvary.

To the far left-hand sheet is a map of the world in two hemispheres, the old world in Spain, and the new world in Africa; the geography for which would appear to be taken form Mercator’s world map of 1595. It is a device that Cavallini had used previously in his one sheet chart of the Mediterranean housed in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, dated 1639.

Richard Pflederer records 15 institutional examples signed or attributed to Cavallini, two of which are jointly signed by Joan Oliva and Pietro Cavallini.